Ruscoe to the rescue with late goal
Ruscoe to the rescue with late goal
Friday 25 September 2009
SCOTT Ruscoe rescued a point for the Saints with an 89th-minute free-kick as they were held to a 2-2 home draw by Newtown.
For the second time this season, the Robins proved difficult opponents - TNS needed a late goal to salvage a draw in the League Cup a few weeks ago.
But there was little hint of the drama to come when Ryan Marriott justified his inclusion in the starting line-up by scoring in the seventh-minute from Steve Abbott's through ball.
The visitors wasted little time in responding, Dylan Blain heading a Ross Stephens corner back across goal for Damien Daniels to head a quick equaliser.
Aeron Edwards and Marriott were guilty of passing-up chances to restore the advantage, while Ruscoe skimmed the top of the bar with a snap shot from the edge of the box.
And, without the injured Steve Evans in the centre of defence, the Saints again showed vulnerability from a set-piece when Damien Daniels headed the Robins into the lead from Adam Worton's cross on 36 minutes.
In the second-half, keeper Dave Jones made good saves to deny Jamie Wood and Matthew Berkeley, while Steve Abbott could have done better when presented with a gaping goalmouth after good work by Ryan Marriott.
But the visitors showed they could be dangerous on the break, with Paul Harrison called into action to save from Jamie Breeze and Obi Anuruo.
Sub Craig Jones headed inches wide from a Barry Hogan cross to underline the Saints' frustration but, with time rapidly running out, Andrew Thomas fouled Berkeley on the edge of the box and Ruscoe steered the free-kick wide of Jones's despairing grasp.
Photo: Aeron Edwards sums up the Saints' frustration after missing a first-half chance.
Match report, photos and stats
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