Real Bedford blew a two goal lead at home to Needham Market on Tuesday night (3 March), conceding an 86th minute equaliser to draw 2-2 in Southern League Premier Central.
The Pirates’ main man up front, Josh Allen was gifted a pair of goals inside 20 minutes, but strikes from Myles Cowling and a late leveller for substitute, Ed Barker ensured the Marketmen returned to Suffolk with something to show for their efforts.
Real Bedford’s Allen has been front and centre of the Pirates’ goalscoring exploits this season, largely consigning usual goalscoring threat, Joey Evans to the bench, and the striker was once again amongst the goals on Tuesday night.
The lack of minutes has led Evans to leave the club for step four side, Wellingborough Town in midweek, leaving Real Bedford after scoring 87 goals in 117 league appearances across four seasons.
Allen endured a slow start to the campaign, but has now rocketed up the Southern League Premier Central scoring charts, reaching 20 league goals on Tuesday night, although he largely had the opposition defence to thank for their assistance.
The beginning of a dreadful first quarter for the Needham Market back line began as early as the first minute, as a clearance by goalkeeper, James Bradbrook struck Allen, with the ball deflecting into the net for the opener.
Kyle Hammond’s long range strike flew over for Needham Market after seven minutes, while the impressive Craig King was on hand to tip over a header from Jake Dye, but by the 20-minute mark, a defensive calamity struck again for Market.
A slow back pass to Bradbrook was lazily sent on to Kieran Morphew who was instantly set upon by Allen, who intercepted with ease. His first effort was kept out, but the ball merely looped into the air, allowing Allen to prod in his second goal of the game to double the home side’s lead.
Real Bedford went into the break 2-0 ahead, although they could have had a third, only for Conor Tee’s cross to narrowly sail over the head of the onrushing, Lee Watkins.
King heroics not enough
Needham Market came out all guns blazing in the second half, looking to get back into the encounter, but King kept them at bay with some excellent interventions.
Ollie Saunders’ early cross found Cowling at the back post, but his shot from close range was somehow palmed on to the bar by King.
The Real shot stopper was called into action again soon after, as Luke Ingram’s effort looped high off his own team mate, Reggie Lambe only for King to tip it over.
King could do nothing about Needham Market’s opener however, as a Hammond free kick found Dan Morphew at the back post, who in turn nodded it back across goal to Cowling who headed home from close range.
It caused Real Bedford boss, Rob Sinclair to make a triple substitution, but Market kept on coming, with King keeping out another effort from Ingram, before two Needham substitutes combined for a late equaliser.
Max Appauh’s low ball was guided home by Ed Barker for what was his first ever goal in senior football, as Real Bedford had to make do with a point, with the two sides once again unable to be separated.
Read: Real Bedford battle to stalemate at Needham Market
Real are still safely inside the play-off spots in third, while Needham Market are chasing an immediate return to step two following relegation from National League North last season, and are just one point off the play-off spots in seventh.
Real Bedford are back on the road this coming Saturday (7 March) as they travel to Loughborough to face fourth-placed, Quorn FC.
