Bedford Town’s perfect Easter weekend is complete, after George Moncur’s 87th-minute penalty secured the Eagles a monumental 1-0 win away at King’s Lynn Town on Easter Monday.
National League survival is in sight for Lee Bircham’s men, who have now reached the magical 50-point mark in the division, often cited as enough points to stay up at step two.
However, due to victories for Hereford, Alfreton and Oxford City in behind, Bedford Town’s job is still not done, although they still remain six points above the drop zone with just three games remaining.
A win against Hereford – who have three games in hand – at The Eyrie on Saturday (11 April) may well be enough to confirm their survival, but with a lot of games between the division’s bottom clubs to go, the permutations are still many.
Read: Bedford Town take big step to National League safety with vital Leamington win
Moncur’s penalty decides nervy affair
Although not mathematically safe, King’s Lynn Town had a three-point buffer over the Eagles heading into Easter Monday’s affair, and could afford to slip up, although they are now back in the mix in what is a dramatic relegation battle.
There are now just two places left to settle, after Peterborough Sports’ relegation back to step three was confirmed as they lost 2-0 at Oxford City, who themselves are just one of seven teams who can still go down.
Easter Monday’s encounter at the Walks Stadium in King’s Lynn was a cagey and dour one, with few chances to speak of in the first half, although Bedford’s Junior Gyamfi hit the top of the crossbar from 25 yards.
Norwich City loanee, Brandon Forbes was King’s Lynn’s main threat, but he was denied on two separate occasions by Ashmore in the Bedford goal as the two sides went into the break goalless.
The second half followed much of the same pattern; Gyamfi again front and centre of what were infrequent chances for the visitors, while Morgan Williams hit the post, although the linesman’s flag was already raised and would not have counted.
Williams also saw an excellent set piece kept out by Ashmore, while Gyamfi crashed another effort off the woodwork, before the game’s defining moment came with just three minutes left on the clock.
Sam Brown’s deadly long throw into the King’s Lynn box was slapped down by a home hand, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, giving Bedford Town a remarkable lifeline.
George Moncur stepped up and slotted it into the bottom right hand corner to give Bedford Town the win, and back-to-back victories at a key time of the season.
Bizarre Ebanks suspension adds to attacking problems
With attacking options running thin, and no opportunity to find reinforcements given the National League registration window is closed, Moncur’s intervention was a vital one.
Ellis Brown is available for the upcoming Hereford game, although star striker, Tyrone Marsh still has one of his four-match ban to serve.
Meanwhile, Callum Ebanks is also banned for two more games, after the FA served a three-match ban on the striker for an unspecified incident at his former club, Buxton a full six months ago.
You can read Bedford Town’s thoughts on that suspension here.
Jevani Brown also went off injured late at King’s Lynn, so once again, Lee Bircham will have to be inventive for Bedford Town’s next game against Hereford, who still have six league games to play before 25 April.
Bedford Town’s game against Hereford kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, 11 April and is a segregated, all-ticket affair.
