Robbed!

A highly dubious 88th-minute goal by relegation candidates Epsom and Ewell stopped the Rebels bouncing back after the Sutton disappointment at West Street on Saturday.

But a below par performance in their fourth game in seven days cost Slough and their large travelling support any reward on a foul afternoon.

Epsom even lost their 'keeper in a clash with Jimmy Brown and had full-back Kevin Duffell in goal for 50 minutes, yet the tired looking Rebels couldn't capitalise.

But Slough's own goalkeeping soap opera threatened to take yet another amazing twist even before a ball was kicked. Regular 'keeper Trevor Bunting, on loan from Wycombe, was wanted by Wanderers that afternoon, as their number one was an injury doubt.

Manager Alan Davies, who lost reserve Paul Shannon for the rest of the season last week, called up Graham Cox, who had a badly broken arm last November. Cox packed his kit and turned up on the team coach, but Wycombe finally decided they didn't need Bunting and just an hour before kick-off, it was confirmed Trevor would play.

“I was ready to play because there was nobody else, but it would have been a big risk," admitted Cox, who is not expected to be fully fit until May at the earliest. It wasn't until 20 minutes into this forgettable match, that Slough created the first real chance. White crossed for Dodds to force a brilliant save from Burdett with a fine header.

Bunting was called on to make some good saves, but just as the Smugglers threatened to take control, disaster struck for them in the 38th minute.

Dodds, a constant target for heavy tackles, made space to shoot from 25 yards, and although Burdett parried the shot, he sustained a badly bruised shoulder as Brown and Richardson converged on the loose ball.

Keys had a goal bound shot kicked away after the ball was hoofed clear, but the 'keeper lay prostrate and eventually Duffell, the regular left-back, donned the 'keeper's jersey.

Epsom hung on to reorganise at half-time, and then went ahead after 56 minutes. Bateman and Petty both dallied after a long clearance and Ricky Kidd finished with a superb 20yard shot into the top corner.

Under fire from some fans, the Rebels had only troubled the emergency 'keeper once, but equalised eight minutes later when Keith White crossed for Jeff Bateman to head home neatly from ten yards.

They finally stepped up the pace and White and Brown had shots blocked, before Dodds hit the post after speeding past two defenders.

Just two minutes from time, Dear, seemingly offside as the Slough defenders retreated, dashed down the right and crossed for Robin Lewis to head in at the far post, although Bunting had appeared to have saved.

Incredulous Slough players, victims of a question able offside decision for the third time in recent weeks, protested, and could only watch sub John McLeod salvaging a point from a frustrating afternoon.

Alan Davies said: "That decision cost us, and tiredness after four games in seven days showed in the last 20 minutes. But if you are going to win championships you have got to come and win at places like this."

Replying to certain supporters criticisms. Davies said that: "Playle, Dodds and Petty should have come off with injuries at half-time. “