Hat-trick Hero How

Right back Trevor How was again the hero for the Rebels with a last minute penalty which not only salvaged a point but completed his hat-trick.

This was potentially the toughest of the Rebels remaining fixtures as they chase the Vauxhall League Championship, and had their defensive work been equivalent to their attack, four goals would have meant three points. The best way to draw a picture of this game is to remember the Crystal Palace versus Liverpool Cup semi - final. But only in this case Slough, 4-3 down after an official 89 minutes and 59 second goal spree, were awarded a penalty - Liverpool weren't so lucky.

But Slough have only picked up one point from their last two away games as the title gets more about holding nerve. Slough boss Alan Davies summed it up: "Four goals away from home should win any game. I don't know why we let in four, it was a game we should have got a result from, we are disappointed but the lads are still in good spirits," he added. The vital last minute penalty: "We could look back on it and it could win us the league," said Davies.

The pitch was a dust bowl, troubled by the annoyingly cold and gusty wind - conditions weren't ideal. Carshalton are one of the strongest and more attractive sides in the Premier division, but their own title aspirations were dealt a cruel blow by an early season injury nightmare. Now back at full strength, and with their magnificent striker Conrad Kane in full flow, they are a side anyone would fear.

The Rebels started brightly and looked like a top of the table side as they pushed forward menacingly, and it took only 13 minutes for the scoring spree to start. Barry Rake was shoved off the ball on the right, Steve Thompson swung the free - kick in and Trevor How rose powerfully at the far post and headed home a peach of a goal.

The frightening failure to hold a lead in recent times surfaced again though, with Conrad Kane tearing the defence to shreds on the left, he got round Robbie Johnson, fired in a shot which Trevor Bunting parried and Jimmy Bolton fired home the rebound. After 26 minutes it was time for Slough to regain the lead, Neal Stanley unable to control a bobbling ball, but TOMMY LANGLEY picking it up and firing low past Les Cleevley into the net.

The Rebels died again, Kane made more of the space he found on the left, getting round again to fire in a cross, Bolton doing what he is best at and picking his spot. The attack was excellent, the defence was diabolical, Carshalton finding time and space to threaten and the left belong to Kane and no - one else. The Rebels flurried up front, held on at the back and the scores were level at half time.

Mark Mallinson replaced Johnson at half time and was, assigned the task of sticking to Kane. Four minutes into the second half the recently quiet Steve Thompson weaved into the box only to be brought tumbling to the ground.

With Robbie Johnson off, How was assigned the task of converting the spot kick, something he did with power and aplomb. Could the Rebels hold the lead this time? The question was answered a matter of eight minutes later when Kane found time to fire a beautiful goal past Bunting.

Five minutes later the Robins took the lead, a long cross from Robin Green was allowed to sail into the box and substitute John Warden was allowed to rise and head home. Slough began to look out of it, and with Andy Riley superb and in control at the back, Carshalton looked odds on for a win. The Rebels defence looked vulnerable from corners, and had to back pedal furiously when the home side drove forward.

They were allowed an amazing amount of space as they pushed through midfield with ease and found their way, round the defence. Langley put the ball just over during one of the occasions that the ball bobbled mindlessly around in the home side's penalty area. Carshalton were giving the Rebels a lesson in holding the lead, and at times Slough were being slaughtered by the probing home forwards.

Trevor Bunting brought off a magnificent save from Kane which would have decided the affair. But the Gods decided to smile on Slough, Langley's experience had him in the right place to intercept Riley's silly back pass, as he rounded Cleevley he was brought tumbling to the ground in the last second of the game. Fate decided it was about time Trevor How notched a hat-trick, and the pressure was on as he placed the ball, the referee whistled and he started his run up. He kept his head and repeated his earlier effort u save the game, Slough a point and possibly the Championship?