Rolfe helps Town grab a point

Slough Town, having borrowed two players from Kingstonian and given a first match to Beaconsfield United's Steve Rolfe, did well to even field a side at Staines on Tuesday. But they also stole a surprise Isthmian League point which should ensure that they finish above Staines in the table (writes Tony Flood).

Poor Staines! They agreed to Slough playing Kingstonian's Graham Cooper and Tony Roberts and even gave them the registration forms on which to sign as Slough did not have any with them. Then, after doing 80 per cent of the attacking, they were robbed of victory by a Paul Lee goal.

Slough's happy night was marred by the booking of their coach Brian Hall following his remarks about one of referee Peter Drewe's many puzzling decisions.

The most encouraging aspect was the performance of the 24-year-old Rolfe who was recommended to Slough by Dave Russell, his former Beaconsfield United team-mate. Steve, of Cherry Tree Road, Holtspur, who has also had spells with Marlow and Chesham, found it hard to adjust to the pace of Isthmian League football but laid the ball off well.

Manager Joe Arpino said: "I'm grateful to Steve and the two Kingstonian lads for helping us out. With Paul Walker unavailable, I had only nine fit players to choose from. I phoned about 30 players in an attempt to find a couple who were not under contract and eventually I contacted Graham Cooper and Tony Roberts three hours before the kick-off. As Kingstonian had finished their fixtures, they agreed to lend them to us."

The match got off to a bad start when Staines' Peter Peasant fell awkwardly and dislocated his left elbow. But after he had been stretchered off and replaced by substitute Hynes, Staines shrugged off his cruel blow and Arthur Rowlands let fly with a swerving shot that Porter brilliantly tipped away.

Staines continued to press but they became a little too frenzied and Osbourne was booked in the 34th minute for fouling Porter.

The goal that Staines deserved came three minutes after the interval. James crossed from the left and Osbourne stopped the ball for John Love to crack it out of Porter's reach.

Staines now piled on the pressure and James cut in from the left to fire against the far post. Osbourne should have netted the rebound but he shot over.

Slough, whose only worthwhile scoring attempts had come from Bartlett and Davies, sent on substitute van den Berg for Rolfe in the 55th minute.

Immediately afterwards referee Drewe of Upminster booked Slough coach Brian Hall for protesting too strongly at the award of a free-kick to Staines.

But the game changed dramatically in the 71st minute. Van den Berg started a Slough attack and Tony Roberts crossed from the left for Paul Lee to head the equaliser.

When Staines recovered they made an all out attempt to regain the lead. But Porter thwarted them by blocking a vicious shot from Rowlands and then pouncing on the ball before Osbourne could reach it.