BRACKNELL Town lost a two-goal lead at Tooting & Mitcham on Saturday and had to be content with a 2-2 draw, their third such result in the last four Bostik League games, writes Dave Wright.

Having lost 2-0 away to Cheshunt last Tuesday, the Robins have now gone four games without a win, yet they remain second in the South Central Division, three points behind leaders Marlow with 14 games played.

While both sides were intent on attacking, Town looked the more threatening in the first half, with Tooting’s Luke Colquhoun the busier of the two keepers,

He produced smart saves from Seb Bowerman and Joe Grant before being beaten by the latter, who was close to the line when turning in Bowerman’s cross for his 10th goal of the season. That was after 37 minutes and five minutes later Town doubled their lead with a Bowerman penalty after he had been brought down.

But within four minutes of the start of the second half, their advantage was cut in half when Eddie Dines’ shot from the edge of the area struck Robin defender Joe Gater and looped over keeper Mark Scott into the net.

The Terrors now had their tails up and increased the pressure on Bracknell’s defence. It finally paid off on 70 minutes when Hady Ghandour was allowed to turn on the ball and make room for himself before hitting a low shot past Scott, back in goal following injury.

Both sides went looking for a third goal, but Robins defended well and came away with a deserved point after an entertaining game.

Substitute Sean Moore, who had replaced Grant, did get the ball into the home net, but a linesman had already raised his flag and so the effort was disallowed.

Bracknell are still adapting to the Bostik League with especially Grant and Bowerman not enjoying as much freedom down the flanks as they enjoyed in the Hellenic League last season, but the whole team are not having as much time to dwell on the ball.

So to be lying second in the table is still a creditable achievement and it will become even more so if they are still there come the end of December.

On paper, this looks a particularly tough month with home games to come against pre-season title favourites Hayes & Yeading this Saturday and current league leaders Marlow to come a week later.

Between those fixtures, Bracknell will host Felixstowe & Walton United, who are mid-table in the North Division, in the third round of the Velocity Trophy next Tuesday (7.45pm). The winners will be home to Premier Division side Folkestone Invicta in the quarter-finals.

FORMER Bracknell Town official Darrell 'Duds' Freeland was still fighting for his life in a London hospital early this week.

And the messages of support he has been receiving are incredible. Several local clubs showed their support by displaying a #CMONDUDS poster before their matches last week, while messages have also come from Manchester City, Sky Sports News. Chelsea and England Women star Fran Kirby and Berks & Bucks FA.

Close friend Tom Canning said: “The support for my mate has been immense.”

Last week Freeland’s full recovery from his heart problems were said to be “very bleak”, but early this week there were encouraging signs of a slight improvement.