Great Wakering Rovers 2–2 Soham Town Rangers

(Ogboin 28’, 49’: Swinton 35’, Maina 90’)

From Burroughs Park

Ryman North

GREAT Wakering Rovers conceded a stoppage time equaliser against Soham Town Rangers to leave their Ryman North survival hopes in tatters.

A last-gasp leveller, against the run of play ensured Iain O’Connell’s first match ended all square.

Rovers were 12 points adrift at the bottom with just 10 games remaining before kick-off.

Soham's Robbie Mason brought the first save of the match inside two minutes, with goalkeeper Ashley Harrison getting down low to block away.

Steve Butterworth was causing problems down the right flank - his cross almost diverted into his own net by a visiting defender.

Sam Mulready sent a free header wide from eight yards as Soham continued to create chances.

But Rovers took the lead and it was a fine goal.

Michael Ogboin, on to replace the injured Jamie Guy, picked up a long ball and ran at the Soham defence.

Having beaten one man, the striker drilled low inside the near post.

But seven minutes later it was all square.

A low free-kick from Soham captain Simon Swinton beat a crowd of players and found the net.

The half ended with both sides cancelling each other out although Wakering almost restored their lead seconds into the start of the second period.

Butterworth made space down the right and his cross-cum-shot beat everyone but Callum Russell who cleared off the line.

And it was a sign of things to come.

Ogboin, so lively since coming on, outmuscled a defender midway inside the Soham half, racing through and poking inside the near post.

Scott Pethers’ strike was cleared off the line with Soham Town reeling.

The tenacious Jake Gordon was denied a third as he came close on three occasions, with the Rovers faithful wondering whether they would be made to pay for the missed chances.

Mason was sent off as the clock ticked into injury-time but the final blow was still to come.

A deep cross fell to substitute Peter Maina and he fired across the keeper into the net.

Great Wakering Rovers: Harrison, Ring, Nottage, Kee, Jude, Beale, Butterworth, Evans, Gordon, Guy (Ogboin 16’), Pethers