MITCHELL Parker scored twice to give Highmoor Ibis a 2-1 win over Bracknell Town at Larges Lane on Saturday.

The visitors deserved their victory, but the Robins never gave up and were rewarded with a consolation goal from Jake White in the last minute of stoppage time.

Highmoor moved up to sixth place in the Hellenic Premier table, while Bracknell remain second from bottom following their fifth league game without a win.

But Robins manager Keith Bowen-Pennicott still believed they are capable of climbing out of trouble, though he was relieved of his duties 48 hours later.

Speaking after the game he said: “I am confident we can get ourselves out of the position we are in, but we will need to hold our nerve.

"If we can put another three points on the board I am sure more points will follow.

“We are trying our hardest, but keep getting beaten by the odd goal. It will help when we get players back from injury.”

Bracknell were missing leading scorer Shane Cooper-Clark through injury, but even he may have struggled to break down a Highmoor defence superbly marshalled by centre-back Calum Gallimore.

Martin Bradshaw, with a cross shot from a chance set up by Ben Hall, and Gareth Brown, with a header, both went close for the home side before Highmoor took the lead in the 21st minute.

Mo Davies’s corner wasn’t cleared properly and Zak Tull played the ball back for Parker to volley past Garry Aulsberry.

Parker then nearly turned goal maker. He found Davies unmarked in front of goal, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Aulsberry.

The rest of the half was fairly even, but Highmoor started to have the better of the proceedings in the second half.

They had a close escape when a slip in defence let in Sean Handley, but his finish was poor. At the other end, Parker was foiled by Aulsberry before doubling his side’s advantage in the 69th minute when he cut in and slotted home.

The visitors, who had won 3-2 at Larges Lane in the league 11 days earlier, then took control by keeping possession of the ball.

But Bracknell kept going and scored a deserved consolation goal in stoppage time when substitute, Kyle Spence, had a shot blocked by ‘keeper Michael Cadle, but skipper Jake White followed up to slam the ball home.

“Highmoor are one of the top sides and I thought we gave them a good game,” added Pennicott-Bowen. “But we need to start turning these ‘nearly games’ into points.”

Bracknell, who played at Abingdon United last night (Tuesday), travel to Longlevens this Saturday (3pm).