COR BLIMEY! GAZZA GETS TREATED TO A FAB FINALE

PAUL Gascoigne was the guest of honour at Hayes Lane and he witnessed two of the National League’s outof-form teams serve up a slow-burning thriller.

Managerless Solihull looked to have put their poor run behind them when a Dave Winfield own goal and Geroge Carline’s neat finish gave them a two-goal lead with 13 minutes remaining – their first league goals in five matches.

But Frankie Raymond’s 25-yard drive and Corey Whitely’s emphatic finish in stoppage time ensured the spoils were shared.

Moors caretaker boss Gary Whild commented: “When you concede late you’re always disappointed but I thought the lads were excellent from start to finish.

“We created chances and caused problems for Bromley. It looked up until the equaliser that it would be the perfect away performance.”

Given the poor recent form of both sides, the game took a long time to get going with the intent set on not losing rather than looking to win.

Chances were at a premium in a dreary first half with Danny Wright’s header against the crossbar the only highlight.

However, the game came to life in the second half with Bromley showing first. Michael Cheek headed just over at the back post from Joe Kizzi’s cross before Nathan Blissett forced Mark Cousins into an excellent fingertip save with a header of his own.

But it was Solihull who took the lead midway through the half, albeit in fortuitous circumstances, when Darren Carter’s free kick was deflected past a flat-footed Cousins by Winfield.

Kizzi saw a header cleared off the line and Bromley were duly punished when substitute Carline got on the end of a Hawkridge cross to slot past Cousins for 2-0.

However, the old adage that a team is always at their most vulnerable when they score rang true and Raymond pulled one back for Bromley from 25 yards giving Boot no chance.

With the complexion of the game now changed, Bromley pushed for an equaliser. Cheek headed wide from Chris Bush’s cross before Whitely sent Gazza, and the Hayes Lane faithful, into raptures the third minute of injury time after Cheek had dummied Luke Coulson’s cross was dummied by Cheek gleefully into his path.

Ravens manager Neil Smith hailed the character of his side at full time, adding: “We were better defensively up until the first goal but I have to credit my team, they showed fighting spirit and never gave up. Frankie Raymond epitomised that and once he scored I knew we would get an equaliser.

“It stops the rot and gives the team something to build on, it wasnt pretty but we didnt lose and that’s ultimately what we need to go back to.”