Didcot Tn 2

(Rusher 17, Powell 90)

Paulton Rov 2

(Shepherd 12, Hulbert 14)

PAUL Powell headed a controversial last-gasp equaliser as promotion-chasing Didcot Town salvaged a point in Division 1 South & West at the npower Loop Meadow Stadium.

With only a minute of stoppage time left, Powell headed Jamie Heapy's long ball goalward.

The ball thumped onto the bar and bounced down before being cleared.

But to virtually everyone in the ground's surprise, the linesman flagged that the ball had crossed the line.

The Paulton management team remonstrated at length with the officials, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Even then, Didcot almost lost the game as Paulton went straight upfield and Dan Cleverley was presented with what looked like a certain winner, only for Matty Jack to produce a brilliant block on the goal-line.

Things had looked desperate for Didcot after Paulton raced into a two-goal lead inside 15 minutes.

The opener saw Rick Hulbert lay the ball square to Pete Sheppard, and while his shot lacked any conviction the ball somehow found its way under keeper Michael Watkins.

If that was bad, the second goal was even worse. A ball over the top found Hulbert in yards of space and he lobbed Watkins from 20 yards.

And it could have been 3-0 in Paulton's next attack when Rob Claridge saw his goalbound effort accidentally blocked by Hulbert with Watkins beaten.

Didcot hit straight back when Vinny Rusher took possession following a driving run by Richard Witt, and produced a stunning right foot finish from the edge of the box.

Didcot showed some improvement after the break and Jack King forced keeper Kyle Phillips into an excellent diving save, before the dramatic finale.

Didcot Tn: Watkins, Heapy, Bicknell, Parrott, Peirson (Hope 66), Jack, Witt, King, Rusher (Odhiambo 60), Vine (Mulvany 81), Powell.

Attendance: 245.