Chelmsford City 2-2 East Thurrock United

(Church 44’, Jeffers 90’: Harris 22’, Gardner 57’)

From the Melbourne Stadium

National League South

EAST Thurrock United conceded an injury-time goal to claim an admirable draw at Chelmsford City.

Rocks started the game on the back foot against the high-flying hosts, and could have been behind inside 10 minutes when Billy Bricknell’s header found the net, only for the linesman’s flag to deny him.

Next Lukas Lidakevicius had to be on his toes to keep out Luke Daley, with the goalkeeper keeping out Bricknell as the pressure grew.

But it was the visitors that took the lead against the run of play. Midway through the half, Reece Harris profited on a defensive error and took the ball around the goalkeeper to score.

Back came the Clarets with Bricknell and Josh Rees again coming close but they did get the goal their play deserved on the stroke of half-time.

Shamir Mullings headed a ball across the six-yard box and Anthony Church was on hand to power home.

Rocks started the second-half with more purpose, with Kane Ferdinand sending a header wide before, 12 minutes into the half, they re-took the lead.

Harris once again picked up on a loose ball to stride through only for his shot to be saved. But Joe Gardner was on hand to pick up the pieces and score.

Church had a second goal disallowed as Chelmsford cranked up the heat although East Thurrock were defending doggedly.

It looked as though they would hold out for the points only for Shaun Jeffers to head brilliantly past Lidakevicius and earn a draw.

East Thurrock: Lidakevicius, Sammons, Clark, Wood, Ellul, Ferdinand, Harris, Freiter (Nesbitt), Honesty (Walker), Gardner, Wraight