Disappointing AFC Dunstable claim last-gasp London Tigers draw

A late equaliser from Connor Smith earned AFC Dunstable a 2-2 home draw against a surprisingly good London Tigers in a topsy-turvy Molten Spartan SML Premier Division clash at Creasey Park on Saturday.

Craig Butler put the hosts ahead with a fifth-minute penalty, but Tigers looked to be heading for victory after goals from Omar El-Bakkali (47) and Jabir Laraba (70) had given them the lead.

But Smith struck with just two minutes to go to earn AFC a point.

AFC raced out of the blocks as BJ Christie was bought down by keeper Ben Sherlock for a penalty, but surprisingly and crucially no card was shown.

The hosts tried to play football in the wrong areas as both sides missed chances before the break.

Smith replaced the injured Danny Ryan and Tigers pulled a goal back just after the interval when AFC gave the ball away in midfield and El-Bakkali gave Ryan Darby no chance from the edge of the area.

And the visitors then took the lead when a quick counter ended in Laraba firing into the bottom corner.

AFC went for broke as they went three at the back and brought on substitutes Jonathan Barnett and debutant Jamie Magi.

AFC went close on a couple of occasions and were controversially denied a clear goalscoring opportunity when Christie was taken out by the keeper, who received just a yellow card.

The chance was missed and AFC were denied another penalty when Richard Harker was also bought down a few minutes later.

However, Harker then zipped a ball across the box into the path of Smith who smashed home the equaliser at the far post.

Smith then went from hero to zero when he missed the simplest of chances from three yards out, thrashing wide rather than guiding the ball home.

Tigers then had two shouts for penalty in one moved turned down deep into time added on, while Christie missed from close range as the game finished all square.

AFC boss Alex Butler added: “For the supporters, especially in the closing stages, this was probably a very entertaining game of football, but for me I was close to a cardiac arrest on too many occasions to have enjoyed it!

“Tigers were a better side than expected but we really should not be dropping points at home to sides in the bottom half if we are to expect to maintain a title challenge and indeed we have slipped to fourth place as a result.

“Next Saturday we have a tough away to Harefield where we cannot afford to slip up.”

This Saturday AFC head to Harefield United and on Wednesday, October 23, AFC entertain Stotfold.

Attendance: 32.