Saints thank Ruscoe for late leveller
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 Aeron Edwards missed a great heading chance in the fourth minute from a Tommy Holmes cross before 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.
Chris Marriott and Ruscoe fired shots straight at keeper Dave Jones, while Ruscoe skimmed the top of the bar with a snap shot from the edge of the box.
Ryan Marriott had another chance on the half-hour, but only had a yellow card to show for his efforts after being unable to capitalise on a one-on-one with the keeper.
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.
The Saints had plenty of possession in the second-half, but were too often let down by some sloppy passing.
Keeper 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. |