Football
Last-gasp Turner earns a point for Bees

Studley 2 Highgate United 2

Midland Alliance

SCOTT TURNER rescued a point for the Bees with a goal in the fifth minute of injury time at the Beehive on Saturday.

However, such a dramatic finale seemed unlikely when the hosts took a third minute lead when Andy Fraher was penalised for a foul on Martin Crawford, which allowed former Tythe Barn Lane favourite Matty Collins to fire a 25-yard free kick through the Gate wall and beyond Shaun Edwards.

To their credit, Gate refused to buckle and brought Studley keeper Perry Cox into action for the first time with long range strikes from Matt Sealey and Tom Reynolds.

Jake Brown was proving a constant threat down the left and he played a big part in the 17th minute equaliser when he showed great determination to win possession before crossing for DJ Pitt to turn the ball home from close range.

Having got themselves level, Gate got themselves on top for the remainder of the half but chances proved few and far between as the scoreline remained unchanged at the break.

Pitt hooked a shot inches wide at the start of the second half as Gate made a bright start, which was rewarded in the 52nd minute with a second goal.

Reynolds sent a high ball forward which Elroy Bennett did well to collect before outpacing Craig Hall and slotting the ball beyond the reach of Cox.

Crawford missed a great chance to put the hosts on level terms when he blazed over from close range, but Studley continued to get on top as the game reached the closing stages and the visitors started to tire.

Dan Povey twice cleared off the line whilst Dan Dineen and Keith Checketts did well to head threatening centres clear.

Bennett saw an effort saved by Cox on a rare Gate attack in the closing stages and the miss proved costly as deep into stoppage time former Gate man Turner headed home Collins' superb cross to make it 2-2.

The point keeps Studley above Gate in 17th place with 13 points as they prepare to visit third placed Boldmere St Michaels tomorrow.

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