Last-gasp leveller denies AFC Dunstable first win under Heath

A late leveller denied Steve Heath a first win as AFC Dunstable boss as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Cockfosters at Creasey Park in the Molten Spartan SML Premier Division on Saturday.

Debutant Ben Butler, making his bow following his transfer from Berkhamsted, had a day he won’t forget, hitting the bar with a penalty before giving them the lead early in the second half, only for Richard Morton to equalise in the second minute of stoppage time.

Heath said: “ I know we like to play neat possession football, but when you are 1-0 up in the 92nd minute, row Z is the best place for the ball.

“We got caught out far too easy and were a bit naive and we paid the price.

“This is the first game I can take out a lot more positives than negatives and look forward to our trip to Hadley next Saturday.”

With AFC fielding possibly their strongest team of the season, they dominated the game for long periods.

AFC pressed from the start as Lee Stobbs’ cross was narrowly missed by Connor Smith’s attempted diving header before he saw another cross cut out.

Max Farrelly and Butler dominated the midfield, while James Bishop put in plenty of effort.

AFC continued to play the more attractive football and were rewarded with a penalty on 28 minutes when Smith’s legs were taken away as he held the ball up in the box, only for Butler to see his rasping effort hit the bar.

The hosts were rewarded eight minutes into the second half though when Butler broke clear and slipped the ball under the advancing Cockfosters keeper as it eventually went in off both posts.

Cockfosters looked to up the pace, but found the back line of Matt Langston, Bekim Culaj, Wayne Mills and Courtney Massey in unforgiving mood.

AFC continued to look for a killer second as Smith saw his effort from Stobbs’ cross brilliantly saved by Craig Clark.

And they were made to pay as Cockfosters launched a rare attack with time running out and, although a strike was well saved by Ryan Darby, Morton was on hand to net the rebound.

This Saturday AFC go to Hadley and the following Tuesday visit London Tigers.

Attendance: 87.