Last-ditch despair (12.03.05)

THE Magpies were denied a deserved share of the spoils when they conceded an 89th minute penalty against Bognor Regis Town on Saturday at York Road.
After an entertaining, knockabout encounter, during which both teams had taken the lead at one stage, the match seemed to have found its level and was drifting to a fair 2-2 finish when Magpies’ Bryan Smith made a clumsy tackle on Luke Nightingale in the area.
The Bognor No.10 got up to stroke the spot-kick past Adam Federici and condemn the Magpies to their seventh home league defeat of the season.
They have now won just three times in 17 starts at York Road.
Contrary to how the match finished, the opening belonged to the Magpies, who took the lead after just three minutes.
The visitors gave the ball away in midfield which allowed Lewis Cook to stretch his legs and eventually complete the run with a powerful shot which keeper Craig Stoner could only parry.
The predatory Lawrence Yaku was on hand to steer the ball in with a diving header to give the hosts the best of starts.
However, the joy did not last long, as seven minutes later Bognor equalised with their first attack.
A break down the right flank from David Piper ended with him driving his cross into the area, and with the Magpies defence unable to deal with the loose ball, Nightingale was on hand to deflect the ball in.
The remainder of the half saw both teams play with plenty of energy, and move the ball quickly on a dry, bumpy surface, but it still came as a surprise when Bognor took the lead on 43 minutes.
Again there were questions about the Magpies’ defending, as Nightingale delivered the ball into the penalty area and it was allowed to reach Russell, who turned it home.
The tempo dropped after the break with Bognor content to play on the break and the Magpies struggling to recapture their attacking edge.
Yaku and new signing Andre Fashanu failed to click, after working well together in the first 45 minutes.
That said, the home side worked hard to get back into the match, which they did on 74 minutes when Jamie Cook went on a mazy run before off-loading to Lewis Cook.
The Maidenhead No.4 sent over a pin-point cross to the edge of the six yard box where Jamie Cook was on hand to side foot in.
But this was to be the last piece of good news for the hosts, who conceded the winner with a minute remaining to miss out on a precious point in their battle against relegation.

PROMISE: Andre Fashanu had a very bright first half on his York Road debut on Saturday. Ref:88220/4