Aveley 2
Wingate & Finchley 1
Southern League Division One East
A last-gasp goal in unfortunate circumstances sent Wingate to their first defeat in four league outings.
A draw was on the cards when, in the 89th minute, keeper Ed Thompson made a stupendous double save as the relegation-haunted hosts pressed for a winner. In the process, he collapsed to the ground with a bad shoulder injury and was unable to continue.
For the final minute or so, Jonathan Ellis, not renowned for his goalkeeping skills, took over between the sticks and he was unable to prevent Danny Sullivan netting from close range, the ball rebounding off the back of Ellis's head into the net.
A draw would have been a fair result, with both sides going hell-for-leather in the second period after a tame first half.
The game opened up in the second period and the hosts finally went ahead in the 67th minute, when Gary Dixon crossed for Simon Ullathorpe to score.
Wingate drew level with ten minutes to go. A determined Craig Ellis slotted the ball to Adam Stolerman, who crashed it high into the net from inside the area. Unfortunately, the late injury to Thompson, who had made some fine saves, was to prove costly for the Blues.
u Wingate will look to get back to winning ways at Waltham Forest on Saturday.
