BRACKNELL Town were handed a 'get out of jail' card when Joe Grant's late, late goal earned them a 4-3 win over South Park at Larges Lane on Saturday, writes Dave Wright.

That was the view of manager Geoff Warner, who had seen his side throw away a two-goal advantage to a side hovering second-from-bottom of the Bostik League's South Central Division.

"We were a bit fortunate as this wasn't one of our best performances, especially when compared with how we played at Chipstead last week," said Warner.

"But at least the way we kept going and got that late winner shows there is a decent spirit we've got in the squad."

The manager also said his team deserves credit for overcoming a number of setbacks before and during the game.

Robins were without Adam Cornell, away on a business trip, the suspended Kensley Maloney and the unavailable Ryan Parsons, while Ashleigh Artwell was left on the bench as he was nursing a slight thigh problem and Seb Bowerman played despite not being 100 per cent fit.

Then inside the opening 10 minutes, Town took a second-minute lead through Liam Ferdinand and conceded a quick equaliser before keeper Mark Scott was forced to leave the field with a calf injury.

This saw forward Sean Moore step off the bench to take over the keeper's jersey.

"Sean did great, I wouldn't blame him for any of the three goals," said Warner.

"But it was a game we should have sewn up earlier. At 3-1 we were coasting and we should have had a penalty.

"Their guy is lying on the floor and handled the ball. It was one of the most blatant penalties I have ever seen.

"Everyone saw it apart from the referee and linesman. I've no idea how the lino didn't see it.

"If we had scored from the penalty spot, it's 4-1 and the game is put to bed.

"But then we got a little jittery and let them back in it. We panicked a bit and started giving the ball away and all of a sudden it was 3-3.

"The way we let them back into the game was disappointing. They must have been gutted to have gone home empty handed."

Warner continued: "Thank goodness, Joe came to our rescue with his great goal. It was like a get-out-of-jail card for us.

"It could prove to be one of the most important goals of the season as without it we would have dropped two points and that is something you don't want to happen, especially when you are playing a team near the bottom of the league."

Warner is expecting a much tougher test for his second-in-the-table side this coming Saturday when they host Cheshunt, the side immediately below them in the placings.

"They are just two points behind us, so this is a really big game for us," he added.

Warner said the injured Scott must be considered doubtful and, despite the enthusiastic Moore's heroics against South Park, Bracknell are expected to recall the dual-registered Chris Grace from Binfield.

"It's a real shame for Scotty, as he has been playing well all season," commented Warner.