Tamworth 1-0 Brackley Town 21 November 2023

Liam Dolman’s 93rd minute header snatched the points for table topping Tamworth when it seemed Brackley’s stubborn defending had earned a hard won draw.

A dour first half of few chances ended with the home side gaining momentum and threatening to go ahead. Riccardo Calder’s block denied Kyle Finn, Dolman’s shot was saved at close range by Danny Lewis, Lewis saved Ben Aquaye’s shot with his legs when through on goal and in added time a header struck the crossbar.

A similar pattern ensued after the break with few clear cut chances in a scrappy affair until late on Aquaye’s effort was deflected to safety and on loan Max Brogan’s free-kick was well saved by Lewis conceding a corner from which Dolman found the decisive moment.

“We huffed and puffed and didn’t create a lot,” Gavin Cowan said. “Ultimately it’s about getting the ball in the back of the net and they did that. It’s absolute heart-break when you lose at the end like that. We need to go to Alfreton and put in a performance and bounce back.”

Brackley Town: Lewis, Lilly, Gudger, Caline, Calder, Murombedzi, Bates (O’Sullivan 82), McHale, Armson (Matwasa 56), Love (Turner 56), Newton. Subs unused: Lyttle, Roberts.

Tamworth: Singh, Curley, Finn, Deacon, Fairlamb, Acquaye (Arlott-John 84), Cullinane-Liburd, Dolman, Tskikuna (Brogan 77), Jellis, Tonks. Subs unused: Gascoigne, Reilly, Gyasi.

Referee: Matthew McQuillan Assistants: Alexander Perkin and Jack Nield

Attendance: 858