Gary Setchell’s tenure as Bedford Town manager saw the side secure two 1-1 draws in the past week to get the Eagles off the mark for the new season.
Saturday’s game at The Eyrie against Barton Rovers was mired in controversy – with 334 fans watching on – as Bedford Town secured a last-minute equaliser courtesy of captain, Ross Watson.
Earlier, Bedford’s Matt Sparrow was shown a red card, perhaps a tad harshly, after a foul on Barton’s Nathan Tshikuna, but whether or not it was deserved, Bedford Town were left with ten men for over an hour.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Bedford held their own in an evenly matched contest, spurning chances of their own with neither side taking their opportunities before the break.
It remained goalless until the 84th minute as Bedford’s resilience broke with Victor Owusu’s long range effort going in via the right hand post, seemingly giving Barton an away win.
Town had other ideas however, as Ross Watson netted a 91st minute leveller, with new assistant manager Darren Eady tweeting after the game that, “It felt like a win!”
Earlier in the week, Bedford Town played out another 1-1 draw, this time against Berkhamsted, with new signing Craig Mackail-Smith making his hugely anticipated debut.
It also saw the return of Callum Donnelly, released by the club during lockdown, but neither player found the net as both goals were scored inside the first ten minutes.
Dan Walker was the man who found the equaliser, soon after Berkhamsted had taken an early lead at The Eyrie, but neither side could add to the tally in another even game.
The fixtures come thick and fast now, with Bedford travelling to local rivals Biggleswade tonight before playing hosts once more to North Leigh on Saturday.