Dulwich Hamlet 2-2 East Thurrock United

Dulwich staged a barely believable fight back with 2 goals in stoppage at the end of the game to somehow rescue an undeserved point.

Gavin Rose shuffled the pack again to try to get the season back on track. Starting with Rhys Murrell-Williamson on the right, Albert Jarrett on the left and Nyren Clunis in a roving role behind Ryan Moss, the game was low key for much of the opening half.

East Thurrock were very comfortable as Dulwich could find no fluency and they were certainly the crisper in their passing.

It was just past the half hour when The Hamlet managed to exert any real pressure, Mitchell Nelson heading just over from an Ashley Carew corner.

However, poor defending saw Dulwich fall behind in the 34th minute. A long ball forward was headed into space in the box, Mitchell Nelson could do no more than get a toe on it, leaving Sam Higgins in space and with just Preston Edwards to beat; which he did with his usual ease.

Dulwich attacked in an attempt to quickly equalise but Albert Jarrett did not make the most of a break when he failed to spot Ryan Moss in space.

Half Time 0-1

With the wind in their favour for the second half East Thurrock were quickly into their stride and looking to extend their lead. Within a minute of the restart, Preston Edwards had to fly to his right to punch wide an effort from Ben Marlow.

Lewis Smith fired over when well placed and the same player was then thwarted by another fine save, this time low to his left, by Edwards. Dulwich also escaped without conceding again as shots were blocked after they failed to clear a corner and Sam Higgins underhit a pass when he broke clear, allowing Osei Sankofa to intercept.

Dulwich finally called Lidakevicius in the visitors goal into action when he saved a good effort from Damian Scannell but it took another top class save from Preston Edwards to thwart Lewis Smith again.

However, from the resulting corner the clearing header found Tom Wraight on the edge of the box and he was given time and space to beat the unsighted Edwards and double the visitors lead five minutes past the hour.

Dulwich showed few signs of getting back in the game, although Damian Scannell did find the net in the 72nd minute following a goalmouth scramble but was adjudged to have strayed offside.

With two minutes remaining, it appeared Dulwich had failed to take their one chance to get back in the game. A long diagonal ball from Ashley Carew dropped perfectly over the head of East Thurrock right back Simmons and on to the chest of Nyren Clunis. He advanced into the penalty area but his effort was pushed out by Lidakevicius and Dean McDonald, following up, could only scuff his effort wide from the edge of the box.

With the game having entered stoppage time.Dulwich finally produced a flowing move as Ashley Carew found Dean McDonald who quickly transferred the ball to Nyren Clunis. This time he beat the keeper low to his left with the ball finding the net via the post for what seemed to be a mere consolation.

However, Dulwich mounted one final attack with the four added minutes almost up and forced a corner. Ashley Carew's corner was met with a towering header from Mitchell Nelson that seemed to be heading into the goal but was diverted on to the underside of the bar by the hand of East Thurrock left back Sammy Knott, with the follow up effort deflected wide for another corner.

The referee clearly had not seen the offence and signalled for a corner before spotting his assistant's flag. After consultation he awarded the penalty and sent off Knott. After a further delay for the furore to die down, Ashley Carew stepped up and converted the spot kick with the last kick of the game.

Final Score 2-2
Attendance 1607

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