Nine-man Waders snatch a point

BIGGLESWADE TOWN got out of jail for the second week running, as Inih Effiong scored a last minute penalty to hold Chesham to a draw.

After a slow start to the game, Rhys Hoenes’ freekick from the right hand side was beaten away by the Generals’ defence, but only as far as Russell Short and his volley flew into the net.

Six minutes later, a corner was floated into the box and Evan Key’s innocuous-looking challenge saw Chesham awarded a penalty, which Drew Roberts converted to put the Generals back level.

Just before half-time, Waders scorer Short pushed over Roberts on the edge of the box. The Biggleswade man was shown a red card, but there referee decided against awarding a penalty.

The hosts emerged from the break reorganised, but the man advantage allowed Chesham to spread the play.

On 53 minutes, Ryan Blake slipped his marker to put the Generals into the lead.

But the Waders were reduced to nine men with 20 minutes to play when Key was adjudged to have fouled Chesham’s Brad Wadkins in the box on 69 minutes, earning him another red card.

Roberts stepped up to take his second spot kick of the game, but this time Waders keeper Ian Brown made a fantastic save.

Biggleswade were seriously up against it now, but defended deep and searched for an equaliser through Effiong and Hoenes.

Waders boss Chris Nunn showed his fighting spirit by taking off makeshift defender Connor Hall for the fast-running Conrad Lucan.

And in that positive intent paid off in the last minute when Hoenes, who had been a threat all afternoon, ran straight at a Generals man to be upended in the box.

Effiong blasted home the third penalty of the match against his former club to earn the nine men a point. STAR MAN: Ian Brown (Biggleswade Tn) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★