CARDIFF Met scored a late equaliser to earn a point from their game with The New Saints on Saturday (Feb 26) as their game finished 1-1.
Blaine Hudson’s 56th-minute header looked to be sending all three points to Oswestry, but in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Joseph Evans snatched a last-gasp equaliser for his side.
Results elsewhere mean their lead at the top remains at 21 points and TNS will begin the second half of the season in a confident mood.
The game’s first chance went the way of the home side with seven minutes played. Elliot Evans was unable to get a clean connection on Chris Baker’s ball though, and the save was easy for Paul Harrison.
Down the other end, Ryan Brobbel sent a free-kick into the wall in the 12th minute, before a superb one-handed save from Alex Lang denied Adrian Cieslewicz.
Both teams continued to enjoy chances as the half wore on and Declan McManus almost glanced a header into the far corner with 29 on the clock.
Four minutes later, The Saints had another great chance to take the lead, this time from the penalty spot, after Ben Clark was fouled inside the box.
McManus stepped up to take the spot-kick, but home goalkeeper, Lang, dived to his left and denied the Scottish striker with a superb save.
Again the number nine was involved just a minute before the break. He put the ball into the back of the net, only for referee, Dean John, to pull play back for a foul in the build-up.
It took just 11 second-half minutes for Anthony Limbrick’s team to take the lead though, as Blaine Hudson rose highest following a Chris Marriott corner.
Despite his best efforts, Lang was unable to prevent the defender’s powerful header from crossing the line, and The Saints finally had something to show for their efforts.
The afternoon continued to be a busy one for Alex Lang, and he made another two important saves to deny McManus and Brobbel.
With two minutes of normal time to go, Brobbel almost doubled the advantage from just outside the box, but his curling effort fell the wrong side of the Archers’ post.
It looked like Limbrick’s team would be taking all three points home to Oswestry, but in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time, Met’s Joseph Evans popped up inside the box to score a last-gasp equaliser for his side.
Much to the frustration of The Saints players, the goal stood despite their protests, meaning their run of nine successive victories came to an end following a 1-1 draw.
It’s back to action next weekend against a yet to be confirmed opponent, as the JD Cymru Premier’s Championship Conference gets underway. Be sure to check back throughout the week for more information.
