Reverting to the 3-5-2 formation that had been used so effectively at the start of the season we looked assured at the back with a fine debut from Charlie West, and an encouraging performance from Dan Fisher playing in the unaccustomed role of centre back as opposed to his usual goalkeeping slot.

Along with the ever-reliable Gary Puckett, we dealt aerially with everything that was thrown at us, made important challenges in the wing back areas occupied by Heath and Holley, and kept Mark Daniels work to a minimum in the opening exchanges.

This solid platform allowed us the base on which to build our attacks, and gradually as the fluency returned and the over indulgence over the Christmas period disappeared, we began to string some impressive moves together.

Ellis, Cole-Bolt and Graca all enjoying time and space on the ball and the front two pairing of the returning Zak Graham, from injury, and Scott Todd making his first appearance of the year, causing problems every time they had the ball.

In fact it was only their missed opportunities and the reluctance to shoot when well placed that denied us the lead that our play had deserved.

Such was the control that we were beginning to assume, some of our better chances fell to skipper Matt Holley who often found himself our most advanced player.

For all of that a lapse in concentration just as the half was drawing to a close nearly saw the visitors score, but thankfully we were not punished.

The start of the second half was all action and mostly in our attacking third and this positive push was rewarded after just five minutes.

Following a number of corners, a right wing delivery from Matt Ellis` left boot somehow evaded Zak Graham when it seemed easier to score but debutant Charlie West was on hand to head home.
With the momentum firmly with us we continued to press, and it was no surprise when just eight minutes later our lead was doubled when Zak Graham atoned for his earlier miss to drill home Scott Todd’s flighted left wing cross.

With still half an hour to play it seemed that we would further our advantage as we continued to create chances, but on a critical note we should have scored but somehow contrived to let our opponents off the hook.

With the side visibly tiring and sitting deep to hold on to the two goal advantage we were coming under increasing pressure, and its fair to say that the substitutions made by both sides seemed to have a stronger impact for Raynes Park than ourselves. That said Mark Daniels had a tremendous final twenty minutes when he produced save after save to protect our lead.

As we reached stoppage time and with the result at least beyond question, it was now about a clean sheet, but it was not to be as a last minute penalty awarded for a foul against Puckett saw Daniels finally beaten with virtually the last kick of the game.