Match Report v Haverhill Rovers (h)

Nathan Rowe's 50th goal for the club deep into stoppage time earned Long Melford their 42nd point of the season.

Melford were not firing on all cylinders tonight, but as the TV pundits would say it's a good sign when you're not at your best but can still take something from the game.

Very little of note happened in an even first half. Plenty of effort from both teams but not much in the way of entertaining football or goalmouth action.

Melford came closest when Jamie Griffiths escaped the Haverhill defence but couldn't get enough elevation on his chip to worry James Philp in the away goal.

At the other end Haverhill had some threatening moments but without registering a shot on target.

Five minutes into the second half Haverhill took the lead. A long ball over the top wasn't dealt with by the Melford defence and TOM STOKER had the pace to run through and fire past home keeper Matt Walker.

Melford then had spells of pressure but were restricted to just a few half chances.

Jamie Griffiths' free-kick on the edge of the box was charged down by the wall, while Kieran Michaels fizzed in a perfect ball across the box that deserved someone on the end of it.

But Haverhill were defending well, as you would expect from a team that has only lost once in 8 games.

They also had a threat on the counter attack and if it wasn't for some excellent saves by Melford keeper Matt Walker, they would have wrapped this game up with a second goal.

In the final few minutes a late challenge on Griffiths that went unpunished by the referee sparked a fracas that resulted in Melford's Josh Collins and Haverhill's Henry Hall being sent off.

It looked like time had run out for Melford who were lacking the spark that has got them up to 6th in the league.

But they kept plugging away and deep into stoppage time salvaged a point from the type of game they would have lost last season.

Griffiths was caught in the face with a high boot and the referee had little option but to point to the penalty spot.

Up stepped NATHAN ROWE who was cool under pressure to bring up his half century of goals in a Melford shirt.  AC

LONG MELFORD: Matt Walker, Dan Smith, Will Wingfield, Jake Jackson, Ross Waugh (c), Anthony Waugh, Nathan Rowe, Jacob Brown, Ashley Skeggs, Jamie Griffiths, Kieran Michaels

Subs used: Josh Collins, Kyle Hurley  not used: Callum Hemson, Ashley Sloots, Richard Daniels  Attendance: 89