BURTON PW 2
PINCHBECK UTD 2
Title-chasing Pinchbeck United dodged a bullet on Saturday as they picked up a 2-2 draw at mid-table Burton Park Wanderers.
Player/boss Ian Dunn (18) nodded the Knights ahead at Latimer Park, but the hosts hit back through a Dylan Otshudy effort (22) and a stunning Mark Forbes free-kick (30).
Burton’s Karabo Motshweni and Pinchbeck’s Tom Brooks were both sent off following a scuffle before the break, but Ollie Maltby levelled on the hour to extend their unbeaten run to 21 games and edge them closer to the title.
However, the result doesn’t tell the entire story, with the Knights missing five first team regulars on the day.
Tom Sergeant and Liam Ogden were ruled out on Thursday, then the car carrying Jack Smith, Chris Shipley and Nick Bishop to the game suffered a burst tyre – meaning those three missed the match.
That forced Dunn, who had no substitutes, to give himself 90 minutes and start Luke Gardner, who has only just come back from long-term injury.
The hosts hit the post twice late on, with the Knights chief admitting that either side could have edged it.
“That was 90 minutes I wasn’t expecting to have to do,” quipped Dunn. “I think any side would struggle a little without five first team regulars.
“To be fair to Burton, they are a good side. We had players out of position and it got harder when Tom was sent off.
“So, when you put all of those factors together, I suppose a draw is OK.
“One of the big problems for us was that we had no subs to change the game, which has been a big thing for us this year.
“It was an open game and both sides could claim they deserved to win it.
“Sure, they hit the post late on, but the chances weren’t gilt-edged.
“What I will say is that the lads looked knackered at the end. The workrate and effort they put in on a difficult pitch was great.
“There were some heavy legs out there. But it felt a bit like a loss, as we’re used to winning all of our games.”
Pinchbeck’s scheduled trip to Irchester United on Tuesday has called off because of a water-logged pitch.
Pinchbeck: Swan, Murrell, Wright, Brooks, Gardner, Gordon, Tidswell, Eyett, Josh Smith, Maltby, Dunn.
Attendance: 36.
