by Paul Lerman

Wingate & Finchley 2
Harlow Town 1
Ryman One North

In a fascinating match from start to finish, Wingate & Finchley overturned a one goal deficit to beat Harlow Town, scoring twice in the final five minutes.

The manner of the win was harsh on the visitors, but based on the pattern of the 90 minutes it was not an unfair scoreline.

The first opening of the game fell to Joe O'Brien, who received a corner beyond the far post and shot first time, but his effort arrowed over the top corner of the goal.

Harlow's best chance of the first half fell to Steve Ferguson. He was sent clear down Harlow's right wing and after cutting inside he tried to clip the ball over Gavin King, but an outstretched arm brilliantly tipped the ball wide.

Wingate & Finchley were always dangerous on the break throughout the entire game, whilst Harlow were left relying on set-pieces to carve out any chances.

Leon Smith blazed the ball over after turning with his back to goal, then at the other end Harlow scored with a header from a corner but it was swiftly disallowed by the referee for climbing.

The lively winger Josh Cooper drilled a low shot inches wide of the left post, while the imperious Dave Laird shot low but the ball was blocked by the keeper's legs.

Ten minutes after half time Paul Wright played a superb angled ball for Leon Smith to chase. He should have scored with a simple finish, but having taken a touch too many he was brought down inside the box. Gary Burrell's penalty was well saved by Rhys Madden in goal as he parried the ball away to his right. Barely two minutes after the penalty save David Cowley scored for the visitors, curling a free kick to the right of the wall leaving King wrong-footed.

He nearly repeated the feat from an identical position a few minutes later but struck the crossbar.

Wingate & Finchley continued to dominate general play however. It appeared as though it was going to be 'one of those days' for the Blues when Laird agonisingly fired inches wide of the right post from the edge of the area.

The deserved equaliser came in the 88th minute after a piece of individual brilliance. Dave Laird showed a turn of pace to flick the ball round his marker on the right wing. He just kept the ball from running out of play and crossed to the far post, where Burrell made amends for his penalty miss by rising high to head the ball home from close range.

The drama did not end there, as an incredible solo run from Smith resulted in him being bundled over, and a second penalty was awarded. Laird stood up to take this one, and scored by the narrowest of margins via Madden's hand and the inside of the post.

Lineup: King, Weatherstone (Sloma 70), Wright, O'Brien, Shehu, Nielsen, Cooper (Jones 89), Henry (Bent 87), Smith, Laird, Burrell. Subs: McLachlan, Norman.