AFC Rushden & Diamonds were the opponents as Pitching-In Southern Premier League Central action returned to the PRG Stadium at Keys Park. The Diamonds had recorded just one win during October, against Stratford Town, as they occupied a mid table position, seven points behind the sixth placed Pitmen, having played an additional game. Hednesford Town were forced to leave the influential Chay Tilt on the bench, who was recovering from a bout of illness, Andre Landell came into the starting line up.
A turgid first half gave no indication of the dramatic afternoon ahead. With both sides struggling to make much headway during the opening period, Andre Brown hit the side netting for the Pitmen, while Ryan Hughes bundled the ball into the net for Rushden but the goal was disallowed due to a clear foul in the build up. Todd Parker‘s freekick from 40 yards, wide on the right, evaded everyone to find the net to give Hednesford a lead in the 38th minute.
HT 1-0
In the second period a superb move down the left from Carter Lycett, set up Andre Brown who made no mistake from six yards to double the lead. The Pitmen made attack minded substitutions to drive home the advantage, bringing Tilt and Riley O’Sullivan on for the closing stages of the game, no one could have predicted what would eventually unfold.
An incredible end to the game began in the 84th minute when Hughes pulled a goal back for Diamonds with a header from a corner. Two minutes later Ravin Shamsi equalised with an absolute screamer of a shot finding the corner of the net. Things went from bad to worse for the dazed Pitmen during five minutes of added time, Andre Landell missed a close range opportunity to regain the lead, before substitute Will Jones headed home a winner for the visitors from another corner.
Hednesford Town; J Brown, Atkinson, Lycett, Endall, Ison, Richards (Flanagan 66), Soleman (Tilt 62), Parker, A Brown (O’ Sullivan 66), Landell, Master. Subs not used; Rowley, Clarkson.
AFC Rushden & Diamonds; Snedker, Casey, Warburton, Slinn, Hughes, Collard, Tshikuna (Diamond 66), Bell-Toxtle, Deacon (Jones 81), Shamshi, Furlong (George 66). Sub not used; Lorraine
Attendance 581
