Last gasp for Centurions isn't enough (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Last gasp for Centurions isn't enough

Bedford Town 2 (Howe 43) Draycott 90(+4), Cirencester Town 1 (Jackson 87)

EQUALISING with only three minutes of normal time left, Cirencester thought they had snatched a vital away point.

However, careless defending proved costly, allowing Bedford to win the match with virtually the last kick.

Cirencester had to work hard from the off to contain the big and mobile Rene Howe and Chris Dillon.

Their skipper, Neil Arndale, played in central defence, swapping places with Craig Fullam, who moved to left-back.

Within 10 minutes, Cirencester goalkeeper, Paul Thompson, had to tip over a Dillon-shot and watch efforts from Howe and Dillon zip past his post as Bedford tried to put their imprint on the game.

Howe was flagged offside on 10 minutes, having netted off a quick Dillon-pass. By the time the 20 minute-mark had passed, Fullam had cleared a Dillon-effort off the line after the speedy centre-forward had gone beyond Thompson on the edge of the area.

Thompson had also tipped a Dillon-header, from a Williams-cross, onto the bar and then produced a marvellous save to touch a Dillon-shot around the post.

Cirencester are made of sterner stuff these days.

As if a switch had been flipped, they weathered the storm and Bedford were now under pressure.

Gareth Hopkins and Scott Griffin kept Lee Howarth and Gavin Hoyte busy and, while they could not get through for a clear shot, their efforts had Bedford clearing up field without much thought for constructive play.

Lee Smith and Kevin Halliday were pushing Mike Ford and Matt Childs back into defence and Bedford keeper, Ian Brown, had to be alert to tip a Hopkins-drive over the bar after Cirencester's centre-forward turned onto a good pass from the busy Marc Richards.

Dillon is never easy to keep in check and when he bustled past Scott Fuller, on 38 minutes, Thompson again made a superlative save to tip the shot round the far post.

Right at the end of the half, a Bedford throw-in from the right was met by Dillon who turned Fullam and laid off to Rene Howe.

Howe used his bulk to shield the ball, turn Kyle Lapham and fire inside the far post from the edge of the box on 43 minutes.

In the second half, Bedford again laid siege on the Cirencester defence, with Thompson having to clear a series of corners and produce in a good tip-over from a return-shot by Derwayne Stupple after a neat lay-off by Craig Rydeheard.

Again, Cirencester held them out, with both Fullam and Fuller standing up well to their examination by the Bedford attack.

Yet again, Cirencester forced themselves back into the game.

Hopkins was inches off a cross from Lapham before sending a fizzer from the edge of the area roaring past Brown's post and then beating Brown with a sublime volley, only for the ball to hit the bar and bounce down and out.

The pressure finally paid off when Nathan Haisley, who had made several surging runs in support of his attack, put Michael Jackson into the box where his shot was charged down.

Steve Cowe put the rebound back to Jackson who neatly chested down and steered the ball past Brown with the outside of his boot from 10 yards out for an 87th minute leveller.

Bedford had settled for a 1-0 result and indeed Cirencester looked as if they would nick the winner, with Michael Symons active and dangerous inside the Bedford area as his deceptive pace and deft feet gave Howarth as much of a testing as Dillon had been giving Fuller.

Then came the moment of careless defending that cost Cirencester the game.

A last-minute foray up the left gave Eddie Lawley a chance to cross after Lapham had cleared an attack.

Lee Smith had not put on the cover and the cross was blocked by Fuller as he tangled with Carl Williams.

The ball fell to Ian Draycott, five yards out and, with four added minutes already played, his winner was almost the last kick of the game.

Man of the match: Marc Richards.

Eagles: Ian Brown, Matt Childs, Gavin Hoyte Y 77, Mike Ford Eddie Lawley 85, Lee Howarth (c), Tom Bonner, Carl Williams, Derwayne Stupple Jason James 52, Chris Dillon Ian Draycott 75, Rene Howe, Craig Rydeheard. Other subs: Chris Winton, John Guiney Centurions: Paul Thompson, Neil Arndale (c) Michael Jackson 52, Craig Fullam, Nathan Haisley Y 77, Marc Richards, Scott Fuller, Kyle Lapham, Lee Smith, Gareth Hopkins Mike Symons 77, Scott Griffin Steve Cowe, Kevin Halliday. Other subs: Shaun Wimble, Gus Fraser. Referee: Mr B O'Sullivan. Attendance: 452