HALESOWEN Town rescued an incredible point on a poignant day for the club following the death of club president Coilin Brookes.
Following a pre-match tribute to Colin, the Yeltz looked to be heading for defeat with two minutes of normal time left – and Bishop’s Stortford holding a 4-1 lead.
But two goals from Jason Cowley – including a 95th minute penalty to level the scores – brought Halesowen right back into it.
Charlie Wragg also scored as Yeltz grabbed three goals in the space of seven minutes.
Cowley brought his season’s tally to 20 after Alex Grudger had scored in the 65th minute with Halesowen 3-0 down at that point.
But that was not the end of the drama, with a flashpoint between both sets of players at the final whistle.
Referee James Hall ended up issuing red cards to Halesowen’s Rob Evans and Bishop’s Stortford’s Jake Thompson.
But it was an emotional day for the club and Halesowen commented on social media on Sunday, saying: “A special day for a special man. An afternoon of emotional tributes, an immaculate minute’s silence, and the laying of wreaths by Keith McKenna, Karen Brookes and Dan Platt watched on by 1,301 in the stands. Thank you to everyone for making yesterday a special day for Colin.”
REDDITCH UNITED’s promotion bid took a hit when they slumped to a 7-0 defeat at home to leaders Spalding United at the Trico Stadium.
The Lincolnshire side were two up at half-time with goals from Lewis White and Jack Roberts.
Josh McCammon made it three on the hour – but then scored four more in the last 20 minutes.
Redditch boss Mike Fowler apologised to supporters for the display afterwards.
He told the club’s official YouTube channel: “It was a really difficult afternoon. Not one that I’ve ever had before – not to this level anyway. And the first thing is an apology to the fans.
“I wish I could have all the players out here with me having this interview, and they can be accountable to that, but the buck stops with me as the manager and they’ve paid good money and spent their afternoon with us – and we’ve let them down and it’s nowhere near acceptable, not good enough.
“Where did it go wrong? Without pinning it on anyone defensively, we conceded some really poor goals. It was lauagahble, but this isn’t a shock to me – it’s been coming, this Kamikaze defending.
“Sunday League division seven would be better defending. It shouldn’t be happening at this level.
“What we saw wasn’t a reflection of my character. I asked them what they saw in me when things get tough. They said ‘passion’ and ‘I work harder’.”
BROMSGROVE SPORTING fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at relegation-threatened AFC Sudbury.
Billy Shaw pulled one back just before the break and Kobe Hall levelled on the hour.
Rouslers boss Scott Adey-Linforth told the club’s official YouTube channel: “It was a very good point.
“It’s three and a half hours down the road to get there and the lads showed really good resilience.
“We hit the post, the bar and had one off the line – then we went one down.”
STRATFORD TOWN also came from behind to win at Bury Town’s Getaway Cars Stadium.
Lewis Ison levelled before the break and Max Lott scored the Bards’ winner with four minutes left.
Stratford boss Paul Davis told the club’s YouTube channel: “It’s extra special when you win away after a long away trip.
“We’re hoping that four out of five injured players can be back for Bromsgrove next week. But this is our ninth game in 29 days.”
Relegation-threatened STOURBRIDGE lost 5-0 at Kettering Town – with all five goals coming in the second half.
James Clifton, Kai Williams, Ed Panter, Levi Andoh and Callum Powell scored in the space of half an hour.
ALVECHURCH are nine points above the relegation zone but suffered a 1-0 defeat at promotion-chasing Needham Market.
Interim boss Kyle Storer told the club’s YouTube channel: “We had a bright start, there wasn’t much between the two teams – they looked more dangerous than us, but we seemed to have a mental blockage in the final third.”
WORCESTER CITY maintained their play-off push against struggling Royston Town.
A sixth-minute goal from Harry Burns was enough to beat the North Hertfordshire side.
