For Darren Hepworth’s side it was once again a case of them left rueing missed chances and leading scorer Ashley Flynn could have had the game in the bag single handed if he had been able to convert 3 clear cut chances in the first half.

Flynn, was restored to the starting line-up following an injury hit month and looked to have regained his sharpness getting into some excellent positions in front of goal but was unfortunate not to score more than a second half penalty.

His first chance came 2 minutes in following good link up play with Steven Kenworthy but he fired into the side netting from a tight angle. Soon after he drove wide, again after Kenworthy had played provider.

The Tevvie keeper Ryan Brooks made a regulation save from John Cyrus as he got into a good position from an Anthony Haigh set piece. More testing for him was an overhead kick from Doran Jordan but he and his defence rode their luck against some positive Emley play. Haigh and Anthony Leech both saw volleyed efforts go wide following a dominant opening 25 minutes.

David Cockerill, as always was at the heart of much of Tevvie’s good play and it took some determined defending from John Cyrus to stop him on the edge of the box before Josh Ingham turned defence into attack with a tremendous through ball into the path of Flynn. Flynn did everything right drawing Brooks off his line but once again sidefooted into the side netting.

The visitors capitalised on Emley’s failure to take their chances with their first chance of any note. Their left winger Kye Pilmore got round Matt Thornton before shooting from a tight angle. Paul Day made a good reaction save but the ball fell back into the path of Pilmore who then pulled it back across the face of goal to allow Jake Vernon to slot home from 6 yards out.

Day showed good handling for Emley when called upon commanding his box and dealing with crosses efficiently, but in truth much of the goalmouth action was at the other end of the field.

Emley went in search of an equaliser and Jordan forced a good save from Brooks with a volleyed effort aimed for the top corner. Flynn saw a decent effort deflect wide then another curl just over the bar as Tevvie failed to clear the resulting corner.

Paul Sykes ensured that Teversal didn’t catch them out on the break again blocking an effort from Cockerill on the edge of the box.

Emley started the second half nervously knowing that they had to start taking their chances. They were giving the chance on 50 minutes as Pilmore punched the ball over his own bar from a corner kick leaving referee Nigel Haydock no option than to award a penalty kick.

The decision incensed Teversal with Pilmore receiving a yellow card, one of 5 received by the Tevvie team throughout the game.

Ashley Flynn showed no signs of the pressure of his earlier misses getting to him as he successfully converted the spot kick, sending Brooks the wrong way for his 35th of the season.

Aaron Joseph gave Emley the lead 10 minutes later, netting his first goal for the club from close range after a ball through the defence from Haigh. Joseph had been denied seconds earlier by an excellent covering run by Cockerill but couldn’t be stopped this time with a determined finish.

Teversal were reduced to 10 men for the final 20 minutes of the game as Reece Blake received a second yellow card, catching Anthony Leech high as he broke down the wing. Rather than the numerical advantage helping Emley’s cause they were guilty of sitting back and trying to see the game out.

The warning signs were there as Tobin scuffed a shot wide after a free kick was flicked on to him in space. Then Cyrus was forced to make a last ditch challenge on Pilmore as he bore down on goal.

Emley did respond with good play by Flynn setting up substitute Liam Schofield but his effort was charged down by William Harcourt. Then Cyrus saw a free header from a corner soar over the bar before Tevvie broke away and force an equaliser.

With just 5 minutes to go Brad Riley was dispossessed inside the Teversal penalty area and the visitors launched a quick ball up the field. The ball eventually found its way into the box as Emley failed to close down Tobin from feeding Cockerill, who turned and smashed an unstoppable drive into the top left hand corner to make it 2-2

Both sides might have snuck a late winner in the closing stages, a Riley cross was met by Paul Sykes who could only direct the ball into the waiting arms of Brooks, whilst Riley was guilty of blasting over from 15 yards out with just the keeper to beat. At the other end of the field a speculative effort from Cockerill floated wide.

On balance of the play Emley really should have put this game well out of sight in the first half hour but they were equally guilty of not being able to defend their narrow lead. This is becoming a hallmark of their season and ultimately the reason that they are not challenging for promotion places this season.

Emley:
Day, Thornton, Leech, Ingham, Cyrus, Sykes, Joseph, Jordan (Schofield 75), Flynn, Haigh, Kenworthy (Riley 75). Subs (not used) Roberts, Maturine, Cooke.

Teversal:
Brooks, Harcourt, Pearson, Whitcombe (McAllister 67), Henshaw, Cockerill, Blake, Tobin, Vernon, Collins (Williams 73), Pilmore (Barke 84). Subs (not used): Hudson, Herring.

Cautions:
Emley: Haigh 41.
Teversal: Blake 41, Harcourt 43, Pilmore 50, Tobin 51, Brooks 53, Blake 68 (second yellow card – sent off).