Southam lose ground after last-gasp strike

PERSHORE TOWN 2 SOUTHAM UNITED 2

Saints boss Luke Fogarty saw victory snatched from his grasp with the last kick of the match to leave his side trailing leaders Continental Star by four points in the race for the Athium Midland Combination Premier Division title, writes David Hucker.

“We played some good football in patches, but some of the younger players again looked nervous and we didn’t put our chances to bed,” said Fogarty.

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“When it’s really counted, we have come up a bit short, but it’s not over yet and we have to take maximum points over Easter to put the pressure back on Star.”

Missing Quentin Townsend and Neil Stacey through suspension, as well as the injured Brad Rees, Saints put in a sluggish first-half performance but still had enough chances to stamp their authority on the match.

They found themselves a goal down inside three minutes when Alex Lavery converted from a needlessly conceded corner.

The lively Tunde Ajibade could have levelled in the tenth minute, but shot over, and then spurned another chance in the 21st.

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A long Pershore clearance caught out the Saints defence and, with keeper Matt Oliver beaten to the ball, they were relieved to see the shot sail over the unguarded net.

Saints looked to have a shout for a penalty when Simeon Smith was held in the area at a free-kick, but the ball broke to Luke Church, who shot over.

With half-time approaching, Smith was through on goal, but he shot straight at goalkeeper Dan Haywood.

Oliver kept Saints in the game with a fingertip save immediately after the break and they squared the match shortly after when a poor kick from Haywood saw the ball fall to Oli Manoochehri, whose cross was turned in by Smith.

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Saints went in front on the hour. Smith was tripped in the penalty area and, after Jack Taylor’s spot-kick was pushed away by Haywood, Ajibade rose to head home the resultant corner.

However, instead of pressing home their advantage, Saints sat deep, inviting Pershore to mount attacks and, with the defence under pressure, it took a good save by Oliver in the 73rd minute to keep their lead intact.

The bar then came to their rescue with four minutes to go, but substitute Nathan Jukes got Pershore’s equaliser in the last minute, when his free-kick from just outside the box took a deflection off the wall.

Tomorrow, Saints travel to Pelsall Villa, who went down 1-0 to Continental Star last weekend, with Stacey expected to replace the unavailable Simon Proctor in defence. They then visit Castle Vale on Easter Monday.