LATE AGONY FOR ROMANS

Biddulph Victoria 2 Rocester 2

ROCESTER came within two minutes of snatching their first league win in 62 games at Tunstall Road on Boxing Day.

In an agonising finish for the Romans, they conceded a late equaliser and then had Craig Hancox sent off for retaliation.

These old rivals must have wished that Father Christmas had brought them a sackful of goodies to help to restore the former glories of two struggling sides, but, in a mediocre match, the best that could be said for Rocester was that they looked the slightly better side for most of the game — largely thanks to the energy of Adam Baum on his return to the side after a three-month absence through injury.

Rocester pressed hard for an early goal, but it took half-an-hour before their first real chance saw a shot diverted off the goalline by a defender's knee.

A minute later Biddulph, who had yet to threaten the visitors' goal, were awarded a penalty when Nathan Gallagher, who had just replaced the injured Tom Poole in the Romans' defence, was adjudged to have brought down James McCarthy inside the right-hand edge of the penalty area.

Goallkeeper Elliot Richards palmed out Scott Burge's spot kick, but Tim Alcock was first to react and swept the rebound into the net.

Burge should have increased Biddulph's lead three minutes after the break when he was put clear of the Rocester defence, but Richards made a brave save at his feet.

The Romans drew level after 51 minutes when Paul Tortoishell appeared to be fouled on the edge of the penalty area and referee Bartlett had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Mick Ede's first penalty was palmed out by Biddulph keeper Stephen Intihar, but he was a good two yards off his line and the Rocester veteran made no mistake with the retake.

After 69 minutes, a Rocester free kick midway inside the Biddulph half saw Tortoishell feed the ball through to Baum who placed his shot wide of Intihar from 12 yards.

As the visitors appeared to tire in the final minutes after their earlier efforts, almost inevitably they had a precious win snatched from their grasp as Burge tucked home substitute Dwayne Spence's low cross from the right.

And in the last minute Hancox was shown the red card after an altercation with Biddulph's Dean Ennion.

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