EVESHAM UNITED 2 BIDEFORD 2

Bideford earned themselves a point at Evesham United on Saturday in dramatic style thanks to late goals from Charlie Lawrence and Toby Down.

The Robins trailed 2-0 with 10 minutes remaining when Lawrence struck to reduce to deficit and Down headed the last gasp equaliser in the fourth minute of injury time.

Evesham came flying out of the blocks putting Bideford under lots of pressure early on which The Robins did well to survive. Lee Chilton thought he’d headed the home side in front in the first minute but he had strayed into an offside position. Harry Franklin played a low ball across the box a few minutes later which just evaded the forwards and Liam Kingston made a good save from Jamie Lucas.

Bideford weathered the storm though and were very nearly a goal up themselves in the 36th minute but Lochlan Robertson made a tremendous save to deny Lawrence when it looked for all the world he would score.

The hosts were on top once again at the start of the second only this time they made it count. Paul Sullivan broke away on the counter in the 52nd minute and played in Chilton who finished well past Kingston from a tight angle to give Evesham the lead. The advantage was doubled in the 65th minute when Lucas fired home from inside the box after an untidy scramble.

To their credit Bideford refused to give up and gave themselves hope with 10 minutes left as Theo Simpson squared for Lawrence to finish well, his first goal since his return to the club. The Robins thought they’d equalised five minutes later but Robertson made another top save down to his left to keep out Simpson.

However with seconds remaining on the clock the pressure finally told as Down rose highest to head in the leveller from a corner sparking wild celebrations and stretching Bideford’s unbeaten run to five games in Division One South.

Bideford: Kingston, Taylor, Down, Mayne, Byrne, Charles (Wood 78), Smallcombe (Carter 67), Heeney, Lawrence, Downing (Simpson 67), Turner. Subs not used: Reay, Rice-Lethaby.

Goals:
Evesham United: Chilton 52, Lucas 65
Bideford: Lawrence 80, Down 90+4

Attendance: 195