Wingate & Finchley 2 AFC Sudbury 2 . . .

Ryman League Division One North . . .

Wingate & Finchley held championship hopefuls Sudbury on a bitterly cold day at the Abrahams Stadium on Saturday.

The Blues got off to a bright start with an early chance for Craig Ellis, who hit the ball over from the edge of the penalty area.

It was Sudbury who broke the deadlock with a tap-in from Darren Bethell after great work from winger Simon Head.

Ahmet Rifat got closest to a Wingate equaliser before half time, the former England U18 player volleying the ball just wide from 25 yards out.

Wingate got out of the traps really quickly in the second half. They gave Sudbury keeper Dean Neil much to do, especially James Gershfield, who forced the keeper into a fantastic save.

Wingate got their long-awaited equaliser through Matthew Batt. He headed home a free kick from Jerome Boyce.

The Blues then deservedly took the lead with 20 minutes to go, Batt getting his second of the game after some confusion in the Sudbury defence.

Unfortunately, Sudbury equalised with just five minutes left on the clock, Paul Smith grabbing the goal.

Either team could have won the game in the dying stages.

Sudbury's Bethell struck a spectacular volley that hit the bar, while Wingate captain Billy Amarteifio forced a great save right at the death with a powerful header.

However, Wingate & Finchley will be very happy with an excellent result, despite the late setback.

Saul Cohen

* Potters Bar Town also earned a fine 2-2 draw with promotion-chasing Dartford. The Scholars are back in action this evening, when they host Wivenhoe Town at Parkfield. Kick off is 7.45pm.