JOE Grant added to former club Ascot United’s woes by playing a starring role in Bracknell Town’s 3-2 win at Larges Lane on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

The wide man scored one goal and set up another to keep the Robins second in the Hellenic League placings and the Yellamen in the bottom six.

But Bracknell were pushed all the way by a battling United side who played for 85 minutes with 10 men after having Jon Palmer sent off and then only being denied a late equaliser by a clearance just inches short of the goal-line.

The hosts, however, didn’t help themselves with some woeful finishing, although that may have been partly due to their frustrations caused by having to face a very stubborn Ascot rearguard.

In front of a crowd of more than 170, this east Berkshire derby got off to a dramatic start with a sending off inside the opening five minutes. Palmer, the last man, pulled down Kensley Maloney as he raced clear through the middle.

It was the last thing the Yellamen wanted as they took on a red-hot side brimming with confidence and averaging three goals in home games.

But, inspired by skipper Jesse Wilson and with his centre-back partner Colin Mogoya also outstanding, United offered very stiff resistance.

Keeper Carl Dennison also played his part, making particularly fine stops from Seb Bowerman and Maloney, but there was also some rather wayward finishing as Bracknell dominated the game.

However, the visitors also produced the occasional breakaway with lone striker James Goodey looking a threat. And it was one such counter-attack that saw them take a shock lead in the 44th minute when a miss-clearance led to Goodey racing away to slot the ball past keeper Chris Grace.

But United’s joy was short-lived, as within a minute Grant brought Town level with a superbly-placed shot that curled around the diving Dennison.

Ascot forced two corners early in the second half before falling behind on 57 minutes. Grant hit over an inviting cross from the right and Wilson, not looking under any real pressure, planted a firm header into his own net.

And it didn’t get any better for the Yellamen when Mogoya pulled back Maloney to concede a penalty that Bowerman blasted home to give Robins a 3-1 lead on 70 minutes.

Bracknell, however, certainly could not relax and they conceded a second goal 10 minutes later when Wilson headed in Jack Smillie’s corner.

It set up a nervy finish for the hosts and it needed a scrambled clearance from Johnny Gray just inches away from the goal-line to deny Wilson a stoppage-time equaliser.

Bracknell, beaten only once in their last 16 league games, stay second in the table, two points behind leaders Thame United with a game in hand.

Robins, who were missing the unavailable TJ Bohane due to family commitments, had Jamie McClurg cautioned and, as that was his fifth yellow card of the season, the midfielder will miss the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy tie at Flackwell Heath on January 10.

Next up for them is a home Boxing Day (3pm ko) game with bottom club Burnham, a side they have already beaten three times this season.

Ascot, without a win in seven league games, are away to Binfield on Tuesday, December 27 (7.45pm ko).