Lee sparkles for the Rebels

Slough manager Alan Davies defended his decision to drop first-choice 'keeper Trevor Bunting along with key players Paul Waites and Wayne Wanklyn, as the Rebels scraped a last-gasp equaliser at Carshalton on Tuesday night.

The Rebels boss gambled on new signing Lee Sanderson to fill the number one jersey which has come under fire in recent weeks following Slough's slip out of the promotion race and Saturday's Berks and Bucks Senior Cup semi-final defeat against Windsor.

Sanderson arrived at Wexham Park only last week before the March transfer deadline from Ruislip, and enjoyed a fabulous debut performance, although 19-year-old Bunting is still considered the number one.

Praising Sanderson, who made three crucial saves during the game, Alan Davies said, " I only signed him last week and he came in when he didn't know he'd be playing and did superbly. To be fair to Trevor, he'd been in the firing line during his first season at this level and has improved dramatically. Trevor will improve with experience if we work on his ability to deal with crosses - it's just a bit unfortunate for him that at the crucial times the ball's hit the back of the net which hasn't been entirely his fault."

With skipper Keith White pushing into midfield, Davies also tested Eddie Hutchinson at left-back with Neal Stanley renewing his old partnership alongside Jimmy Brown, Steve Thompson was unavailable due to RAF commitments.

"I left out three players because I thought we needed a bit of a kick up the backside after Saturday and after the way we've been playing in the last few weeks," said Davies.

Sanderson slipped happily into the hot spot, although during a scrappy first half, had little to do as Carshalton's renowned offside trap closed the game up into the middle third of the pitch.

But just on half-time, Carshalton broke the deadlock when Steve White picked up the ball on the outside of the box and rammed home a blistering 25-yard drive to leave Sanderson with no chance.

On a well sanded pitch, football took second spot to the battling in the midfield as Carshalton started the second-half going forward forcing a string of fine saves from Sanderson.

In the 50th minute, The Robins' Steve White broke through the middle again, with the Slough defence 10 yards adrift, but Sanderson smothered, on the edge of the box saving a certain goal.

Six minutes later, Slough's reserve 'keeper was off his line like a cat to save at Conrad Kane's feet after Jon Warden split the defence in a questionable offside move.

Alan Davies fumed; " There's nothing you can do about three blatant offsides and they should have taken full advantage of them."

As Carshalton were given a taste of their own medicine, getting caught offside six times in the second half, Slough started to piece moves together, although the final ball still let them down.

Ten minutes from time, Robins' Curtis Warmington fluffed a point blank opportunity and then Slough delivered the goods in the 86th minute against the run of play.

Neal Stanley and Jimmy Brown combined well before the ball bobbled to Rebels right-back Trevor How to blast home from 20-yards inside the 'keeper's left- hand post in their first real shot on goal of the half.