Mega Brackley Town effort unrewarded as Saints seven points from National League safety following Boston United draw
Brackley Town put on arguably their best performance yet under Andy Whing but the Saints’ winless run in the National League extended to 13 games, in a spirited 1-1 draw with Boston United on Easter Monday.
The St James Park faithful went wild when Aidan Elliott-Wheeler’s 71st-minute bullet header broke the deadlock, however Boston striker Lenell John-Lewis’ penalty seven minutes later was enough to share the spoils.
Brackley had been by far the better team and they were good value for their brief lead. The Saints had the better of the chances in an entertaining, end-to-end first half which saw Elliott-Wheeler being denied from distance and Morgan Roberts looping a header just over the bar.
Brackley were also comfortable in the second period and their dominance led to the opening goal, as Elliott-Wheeler’s header from a terrific Tyler Lyttle cross hundered into the top left.
But mid-table Boston got back into it when John-Lewis confidently dispatched his penalty, after winger Luca Barrington rounded Brackley goalkeeper Harrison Rhone and was fouled.
It beggared belief that Brackley didn’t go on to find a winner, as Whing’s side had two penalty appeals of their own denied – including one for a foul on Roberts that the referee said was just outside the box, even though it appeared to be a good yard within.
Shane Byrne had two efforts cleared off the line, too, one by Boston left-back Alex Lankshear and another - in stoppage time - by fellow defender Michael Lavinier.
There was even a disallowed goal for Brackley in the dying embers as the ball was bundled into the net from a menacing inswinging corner.
Boston goalkeeper Dan Cameron, who went down under what looked to be a mix of challenges from both sets of players including Brackley’s Matt Lowe, was given the benefit of the doubt and awarded the free-kick.
It was a very brave decision from the referee and one that was lambasted by the Saints faithful in the Francis Oliver Stand.
As much as Brackley deserved all three points, their wait for their first win under Whing goes on.
After Eastleigh’s 2-1 win over Yeovil Town, the Saints are now seven points adrift from safety with just three matches to go.