So close to worthy away win

THE Hatters agonisingly missed out on an impressive away win at in-form Tamworth last Tuesday night, as an 88th minute equaliser held County to a 2-2 draw at The Lamb Ground.

Following the disappointing league defeat to Bradford PA the previous weekend, County looked like they were going to bounce back with three points on the road in the National League North through goals from Danny Lloyd and Josh Amis, either side of a Jed Davies strike for the hosts.

But, just five minutes after Amis appeared to have found a late winner for Jim Gannon’s men, substitute Stephen Tomassen popped up at the back post with an even later header to ensure that Andy Morrell’s side took a point.

The Lambs had won five games in a row prior to The Hatters visit to Staffordshire, but County settled well into the match which was being played on Tamworth’s new artificial surface, and star man Lloyd rifled home his 11th of the season on the half-hour mark; slotting home Jimmy Ball’s impeccable through ball after a deft flick from Kay Odejayi.

The Hatters spurned a number of chances to double their first half lead, before Davies found far too much space to clip coolly past County stopper Ben Hinchliffe just before the interval.

Amis, who has taken his place on the bench in recent weeks after suffering from a broken hand earlier this month, entered the fray with fellow substitute John Marsden – and, remarkably, both men contributed instantly to The Hatters’ second goal.

Marsden, replacing debutant Kaine Felix, took the free-kick which had preceded the double substitution – whipping the cross in for Amis to bundle the ball home at the far post in front of the travelling County fans.

But, just as Tamworth levelled proceedings two minutes before half-time at 1-1, the home side snatched a point two minutes before full-time as two Tamworth forwards were left unmarked at the back post – allowing Tomassen to stoop and head past Hinchliffe.