Late penalty earns AFC Dunstable a draw in the clash of two title contenders

Title-contenders AFC Dunstable and Berkhamsted fought out a 2-2 draw at Creasey Park in a topsy-turvy Molten Spartan SML Premier Division clash on Wednesday night.

A competitive encounter saw BJ Christie put the hosts ahead on 12 minutes.

James Towell equalised in the first minute of the second half and Connor Calcutt put the visitors ahead on 52 minutes, but AFC salvaged a point when Kyle Lincoln had his heels clipped before dusting himself down to score a disputed 84th-minute penalty.

Manager Alex Butler said: “This was always going to be tough, but all of our players put in a shift and just as pleasingly dug deep when Berko took the lead.

“The hardest task was to leave good players on the bench, but the players who came on showed great attitude and turned the game around.

“We now have a further two hard battles, away to Colney Heath on Saturday, before top-of-the-table Ampthill visit next Wednesday.”

AFC displayed more of a cutting edge in the opening period as Cristie shot narrowly wide after five minutes.

However they took the lead seven minutes later when Courtney Massey perfect through ball released Christie and the deadly striker neatly lobbed keeper Carl Tasker.

Berkhamsted came more into the game and created a couple of half chances, but just before the interval Tasker made a great full-length save from Dale Turney, while Dan Ryan headed just over from a corner.

AFC were dealt a huge blow early in the second half when talismanic player Ryan was stretchered off with a knee injury.

And within 10 minutes the visitors struck twice courtesy of headed goals from Towell and Calcutt.

AFC immediately made changes and, with Wayne Mills making inroads down the left and Chris Francis terrorising the back line, AFC began to threaten.

Francis carved out a good chance for himself before the hosts levelled with six minutes to go.

Lincoln who went on a mazy run and, as he forced his way into the box, his heels were clipped as the home side were awarded a disputed penalty which Lincoln duly converted.

AFC had the better of the remaining minutes, before both sides rightly shared the points.

On Saturday, AFC head to Colney Heath and on Wednesday they host leaders Ampthill Town.