Norwich United

A disputed penalty three minutes from time robbed Norwich United of all three points at Plantation Park. Manager Paul Chick was disappointed to see victory snatched from the Planters grasp “If that was a penalty then we should have had one in the first half when Lee Hunter was brought down in a similar, but more clear cut, fashion.”

Luke Ingram appeared to dive with Andy Key making little or no contact and Jack Cawley stepped up to convert from the spot. The Planters had led for just eight minutes after leading goalscorer Thomas Mustapha fired home in the 79th minute, a right wing corner was only half cleared to the striker who stepped inside a challenge before firing past Hadleigh keeper Daniel Heath.

The Planters will feel hard done by as apart from an initial 20 minute spell where Hadliegh were on top they had the more clear cut chances and saw Carl Poppy’s shot hit the Hadleigh upright after Heath had fumbled Steve Shipley’s high cross, and Shipley had an effort from close range cleared off the line.

At the other end Shipley had to be on hand to clear off his own line to block an Ollie Canfer shot.

The point gained was enough to move the Planters up one place to fourth after Wisbech Town lost 4-2 at Kirkley & Pakefield despite leading 2-0 at the break.

Norwich United: Nower, Shipley, Key, Ager, McNeil, Jeal, L Hunter (I Hunter 65), Poppy, Mustapha, King, Cutajar. Unused subs: Mbala-Massamba, Lovelock.

Hadleigh United: Heath, McLaughlin (Deller 46), Ince, Jennings, Rose, Cawley, Alexander (Driscoll 79), Ingram, McGlone (Canfer 46), Deacon, Allen. Unused subs: Taylor-Hunt, Evans.

Referee: N Cooper
Assistants: R Barker & R Chapman.
Attendance: 85