SECOND CHANCE FOR RANGERS AFTER DRAW

MARTIN Griggs’ second-half spot-kick ensured Risborough Rangers a second bite at dumping higher-ranked Cockfosters out of this season’s FA Cup as they drew 1-1 at Chalk Lane.

The visitors, who sit one tier below Premier Division Cockfosters in the Spartan South Midlands League hierarchy, were the more useful side in the opening exchanges of this extra preliminary round clash, creating several clear-cut chances.

But they were stung five minutes shy of the interval as Peter Rosemin rounded keeper Jack Brooker before slotting home.

Not to be deterred, Rangers fought back in the second period and deservedly found the equaliser just beyond the hour.

Ash Yearwood was chopped down by Iain Salt as the midfielder looked to pull the trigger and Griggs did the rest from 12 yards, meaning the two sides will meet again in a replay on Tuesday night at Windsors Stadium.

Griggs was the star man on an intriguing afternoon in north London, bringing three

good stops from home custodian Dario Zavagno in the initial half-hour – the closest effort arriving when a low shot required a finger-tip to turn it around the post.

Having failed to take their opportunities though the inevitable goal against the run of play materialised as Rosemin evaded the Risborough defence and tucked a shot into the far corner.

The away side were temporarily wounded and had Claudio Tipoti not smashed his 54th-minute shot over the bar from ten yards, Rangers would probably have said goodbye to this year’s competition.

However, Griggs’ cool 61stminute penalty left the game in the balance once more.

The tie dropped into a lull with both teams flagging in their first competitive football of the new campaign but in the final five minutes the Buckinghamshire outfit were unlucky not to claim progression.

First, James Shrimpton rattled Zavagno’s crossbar before Griggs’ effort scuffed off Lamar Mason-Williams’ boot, onto the post and back into the keeper’s grateful arms as Rangers had to settle for a draw following an impressive display.