Slough's play-off hopes hit the buffers after frustrating draw with St Albans

Slough Town’s hopes of reaching the play-offs and extending their season appear to have hit the buffers after they let slip a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with St Albans City at Arbour Park on Monday afternoon.

Their hopes of a top seven finish have hit the brakes in recent weeks, but it’s still been an excellent campaign for the Rebels and one they should be extremely proud of.

This was the side’s sixth match without a victory, however, they’ll feel they should have wrapped up the points against St Albans after racing into a 2-0 lead in the first half.

The Rebels’ matches do though, continue to serve up plenty of entertainment and this was another exciting one for the 1,162 fans inside Arbour Park. Having held their 2-0 lead until the 68th minute, visitors St Albans grabbed a goal back through Zane Banton before levelling matters when Shaun Jeffers scored from the penalty spot in the 92nd minute.

After a last-gasp 3-2 defeat at Truro City on Friday evening, the Rebels got off to the perfect start in front of their own fans as Johnny Goddard tapped home from close range in the first minute. Nathan Minhas was played clean through and although his effort was saved, Goddard followed up to tap home his 16th of the season and his second in as many games.

Their second followed in the 16th minute when a shot from Goddard found its way to the feet of Minhas who calmly slotted home.

The visitors caused the Rebels defence some headaches at the end of the first half, but Slough managed to get through to half-time without conceding and had chances to put the match to bed in the second half.

David Ogbonna went close with an acrobatic, flying back-heel which flashed wide in the 47th minute while Temi Eweka came within inches of turning home a dangerous cross in the 52nd minute. Their best chance to kill off St Albans arrived in the 62nd minute when Gary Abisogun raced down the left wing and swung in a cross for Ogbonna, but a great save prevented the Rebels making it 3-0.

Momentum swung with Banton’s goal for the visitors, but it looked like the home side might just hold out until Leon Chambers-Parillon conceded a 90th minute penalty from which Jeffers scored. After a series of body blows in recent weeks, this is likely to be the one that finishes off their slim promotion hopes once and for all this season. The result leaves them 12th in the table, nine points off the top seven.