FIRST’S DENIED BY STOPPAGE TIME GOAL

A last gasp penalty by Harry Gallagher saw visitors Northwood leave the Arena with a point after an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Rovers handed debuts to Louie Erotokritos Staussi and Tyrese Osbourne, whilst there was a return to the starting line up for Oscar Williams. Sam Roberts (recalled by Sutton Utd), Ollie Twum (under the weather and dropped to the bench) and Mal Thomas (injured), missed out.

Staussi saved well early on as Northwood dominated and the visitors struck a post, before Rovers grew into the game, and a fierce Max Oldham rattled the Northwood woodwork.

Half time came scoreless.

The Woods took the lead early in the second half, when a Teddy Stacey cross drifted over Staussi for 1-0.

Rovers response was positive and they started to put the Woods under pressure, and eventually levelled on the hour, when pressure by substitute Jayden Smith saw the ball fall to Lindell Stewart and the ex-Northwood striker rounded Andrew McCorkell for 1-1 (pictured).

Both sides had chances and we retook the lead in the 82nd minute, an Oldham free kick was headed across goal by Bert Lloyd and the unfortunate Kofi Anokye-Boadi could do little to avoid turning the ball into his own net.

Rovers looked to have sealed the win when clearing a deep stoppage time corner, but in stoppage time at the end of stoppage time, Rovers were caught out at the back, Staussi was forced into a challenge, felling the Wood forward, and Gallagher did the rest.