Report
Billy Cove hit a late equaliser to earn Leyton Pennant a deserved point in a game tinged with controversy.
John Cheesewright made his Pennant debut in goal, replacing the injured Craig Knox, while broken leg victim Tony Dixon made a welcome return in midfield.
After a bright opening, Billy Read thought he had given the visitors the lead on ten minutes when he fired past Staines keeper Collar at the second attempt. But much to Pennant’s dismay, the linesman flagged for a marginal offside.
For the remainder of the first half, Pennant failed to turn their superiority into goals and almost fell behind when Mitchell struck the bar in one of Town’s rare attacks.
The visitors continued in the same vein in the second half but Staines’ defence held firm under some considerable pressure.
Against the run of play, Staines took the lead. A ball through the middle was laid off by Mitchell to Carter who showed the Pennant defence a clean pair of heels to score past Cheesewright.
Again, Kevin Moran’s men pressed forward relentlessly without any joy. Jason Gerraghty’s free kick was well saved by Collar, as was a John Lowe cross-shot.
With ten minutes to go, a second moment of controversy arose. Cove broke free on the edge of the box and he appeared to be nudged over by Town defender Fleming as he was about to round the keeper. The referee deemed that no contact had been made and a goal kick was given.
Justice was done when, with three minutes left, Cove drove a sweet right foot shot in off the post to salvage a draw for Pennant.