Bedford Town blew a 2-0 lead against fellow National League North strugglers, Hereford at The Eyrie on Saturday (11 April), eventually drawing 2-2 in front of a bumper crowd of 1,609 at The Eyrie.
In an encounter remarkably similar to September’s reverse, Ryan Doherty and Josh Castiglione had put the Eagles into a 2-0 first half lead, before Hereford came roaring back thanks to second half goals from Lewis Hudson and veteran, Andy Williams.
Read: Bedford Town squander two goal lead to draw at Hereford
At the end of another day full of twists and turns towards the bottom of National League North, Bedford Town are still six points above the drop zone in 17th, with just two games left to play.
The wildcards are Hereford themselves, who still have two games in hand over the majority of the clubs towards the bottom. Alfreton and Oxford City also have a single game in hand over Bedford Town.
Hereford’s run of games throughout March and into April has been brutal, having played 13 matches since the beginning of March thanks to pitch problems at their home ground, but they battled back admirably at The Eyrie to keep on the coattails of the teams above them.
Doherty and Castiglione put Eagles in control
After the first third of the game, it looked as if Hereford’s schedule had caught up with them.
A corner after just 30 seconds looked to set the tone, and while neither side could generate many chances within the first 20 minutes, the Eagles were two up after 30.
Ryan Doherty was the man to put Bedford ahead, burying a header from George Moncur’s second cross, while last Saturday’s match winner, Moncur almost doubled the lead, forcing Theo Richardson into a smart save from the corner of the area.
The early lead settled the home crowd, while the impressive away following of 538 fans from Herefordshire were albeit temporarily silenced, but their problems went from bad to worse when Bedford doubled their lead on the half hour mark.
Again, Moncur was central to the build up; his cross-cum-shot was kept out in clumsy fashion by Richardson, with the ball breaking for Josh Castiglione who placed home his team’s second.
It forced Hereford manager, Aaron Downes into a first half double substitution, as Aaron Skinner and Keziah Martin were introduced earlier than they would have expected, but the visitors would have to wait for their retribution as the score remained 2-0 at the break.
Hereford battle back
Perhaps spurred on by the hairdryer treatment, and the impending doom of a drop to step three, Hereford came out with renewed vigour in the second period, and were able to battle back to a point.
The equaliser would eventually come from 39-year old, Andy Williams, who was introduced in the early stages of the second period, and just a minute after his introduction, Hereford were back in the game.
A corner from the left found centre back, Lewis Hudson who headed home to halve the deficit, and he almost had a brace five minutes later, but his tame effort found the arms of Ashmore.
Within moments, Hereford were level and they had their veteran striker to thank.
A shot from the edge of the area by Freddy Willcox was well kept out by Ashmore, but he couldn’t stop the rebound from Williams, who was lurking on the edge of offside, but managed to smuggle home the equaliser.
Bedford’s Ben Nugent was booked for his remonstrations with the assistant referee, but the fact remained that the Eagles would have to find a way to hold on to at least a draw.
Half chances to win it came and went for both sides, with Sam Brown’s long throw once again causing Hereford some defensive problems, but Castiglione and the returning Ellis Brown were unable to capitalise.
Late chances for George Munday and Willcox also fell on deaf ears, as both sides had to settle for a point.
Two tough games left
The result means it’s largely as you were towards the bottom of National League North, as Alfreton and Oxford City drew 1-1, while King’s Lynn now occupy the final safe spot after losing 4-1 at Kidderminster.
Curzon Ashton are the day’s big winners after a 1-0 away win at Chorley, while Peterborough Sports and Leamington are already relegated.
Hereford and Oxford City face each other on Tuesday night (14 April).
On paper, Lee Bircham may be hoping for some help from other teams, with their two remaining assignments tough ones, beginning at title chasing, South Shields next Saturday (18 April) before hosting fifth placed, Scarborough on the final day.
The Eagles still hold their fates in their own hands however, as the National League North relegation battle heading towards an exciting climax.
