Leyton 2 Wingate & Finchley 2 . . .

Ryman League Division One North . . .

Despite totally dominating the game away from home, Wingate & Finchley left Leyton with just a point as the home side clawed back a two goal deficit in the final few minutes.

The home side did start the stronger and had more possession early on, but Wingate defended well and created chances on the counter attack.

Ahmet Rifat sent a measured 60 yard through ball over the top to Chris Chase, and he took the ball into the area but blazed his left-footed effort over the bar.

Rifat was again involved in an attack as he controlled a high clearance upfield. He played a one-two with Chase on the edge of the area, who released Rifat on goal, but his shot was pushed wide by Jason Hardy in the home goal.

In the 31st minute the visitors took the lead through a moment of brilliance from Leon Fisher. A high looping ball fell into Fisher's path just outside the area, and he connected perfectly with a left foot volley that sailed into the top left corner of the net.

Fisher came close to doubling his tally just a minute before the interval when he headed Ola Williams' driven cross onto the roof of the net.

A few minutes into the second half Leyton thought they had equalised thanks to a fine strike from Daniel Gabriel, but the assistant had raised his flag for a very tight offside decision.

Then in the 57th minute Wingate & Finchley doubled their lead. A corner, swung in from the right that was not properly cleared, eventually fell at the feet of Leon Nelson who drove the ball fiercely into the bottom left corner of the net.

Wingate & Finchley continued to attack and dominated the second half.

Rifat drove the ball wide across goal and beyond the far post after Marvin Samuel had picked him out at the far post with a looping cross. Following a break by Ola Williams down the left wing, he crossed low to Chase at the far post but he sliced his shot wide.

Joe O'Brien then gave the keeper a scare with a rasping drive from fully 35 yards and at a wide angle, but the ball missed the left post by inches and found the side netting.

Samuel then struck a tremendous shot from 18 yards that swerved and hit the inside of the post before bouncing across goal and went spinning out for a goal kick.

The game then turned with just five minutes remaining, as totally against the run of play, Fabio Jesus was given a bit of time and he hit a superb looping shot from outside the area that caught the stranded Gavin King and found the back of the net.

Deep into stoppage time the referee awarded a highly controversial penalty, after Bobby Aisien was adjudged to have made a foul despite seemingly taking the ball with a well-timed challenge. Des Thomas stood up and scored the spot kick to level the game with almost the final touch of the match.

Wingate & Finchley: Gavin King, Marc Weatherstone, Ola Williams (Kieran Street 81), Craig Ellis, Bobby Aisien, Ahmet Rifat, Tim Lees, Marvin Samuel, Chris Chase (Dean Williams 72), Leon Fisher (Joe O'Brien 67). Subs: Michael Sacks, Jake Furman.

PAUL LERMAN