SPOT-ON: Declan Earth squeezes home his penalty on Saturday. Photo by KEN SMITH

Clay’s red card costly as Moulton Harrox are pegged back by leaders Stilton in draw

Moulton Harrox 1 Stilton United 1

Joint boss Bobby Patterson rued a red card to key defender Jonny Clay as Moulton Harrox held ChromaSport PDFL Premier Division leaders Stilton United 1-1 on Saturday.

A first-half penalty, both won and converted by Declan Earth, gave Harrox a deserved 1-0 lead at the break at Broad Lane.

Moulton remained in command for the rest of the game, with Earth missing a one-on-one and Joe Townsend seeing an effort come back off the woodwork.

Clay’s red card on 70 minutes – he got two yellows for persistent fouling – made lift a little more difficult and Stilton duly snatched a point with a breakaway goal seven minutes from time.

“I’m very happy with the performance but disappointed with the result,” said Patterson. “We played so well and controlled the game.

“It’s kind of the story of our season, really. We need to be more clinical and finish these games off.

“Our penalty was clear-cut and we deserved our lead at half time.

“I just couldn’t see them scoring, they struggled to create chances and we looked good all over the pitch.

“Obviously Jonny’s red card made it harder for us. He’s a very experienced defender and he should really have known a little better than to have kept making fouls when on a yellow card.

“Stilton couldn’t believe their luck when they equalised.”

The draw leaves Harrox fourth, nine points behind Stilton with two games in hand on the leaders.

Next up for Moulton is a home Lincs Junior Cup clash with Louth Reserves on Saturday (1.30pm).

Harrox: Taylor, Clay, Coddington, Gardner, Chappell, Kisla, Woodward, Law, Earth, Townsend, Machin. Not used: Clarke, Bradbury, Smith.

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