Holwell Sports undone by late salvo from title-chasing Long Buckby

Sports led 2-1 up to midway through the second half, but eventually succumbed 4-2, as firepower from the subs bench earned second-placed Buckby all three points.

“I’m sure a few who watched will tell me it was deserved,” said Miller.

“In my eyes I think the contest was far closer than the result says.

“We definitely didn’t do enough to win it, but I think most would have woken up this morning on reflection and would have taken a point each.”

Holwell were asked for a reaction following their poor performance in defeat to Birstall seven days earlier, and started well, using their width to unsettle the hosts.

And after a flurry of free-kicks came to nothing, the visitors had a penalty following a tangle of legs in the box.

George Coser’s initial spot-kick was saved, but the rebound fell kindly for him to fire in the opener.

Long Buckby capitalised as Holwell temporarily lost their shape and their way, equalising when the ball broke to Sam Collins to finish from 10 yards.

Both teams had their chances leading up to half-time, but it was Holwell who got themselves back in front.

Aidan Black swung in a free-kick and poor marking allowed Kyle Reek to flick the ball on for Ross Dunlop to poke in at the far post.

The home bench called for offside, but the goal stood and Miller’s side had a half-time lead he felt his side deserved.

Holwell again succeeded in trying to deny the home side any rhythm after the break, a tactic which worked well up to and beyond the hour mark.

But changes from the bench turned the tide as the visitors were pushed deeper and deeper into their own half.

Miller added: “I think it was clear to see that after that, the hosts got the upper hand, and as we started to be a little more one-dimensional, Buckby started to recycle quicker and more often.

“The changing point in this game, though, was the substitution Carts (Buckby manager Dan Carter) made up top. The pace caused us some huge problems.”

Holwell keeper had already made a superb save from a point-blank header, and almost pulled off an identical stop from a corner.

Diving at full stretch, he turned Max Proudlock’s header onto the bar, but the keeper unluckily hooked the ball over the line with his boot.

Buckby were then ahead after Holwell spurned several chances to clear a corner, and Proudlock was eventually played through and beat Challis with a smart poked finish into the opposite corner.

And a late fourth finally snatched away any lingering hopes.

“Three goals in the last 20 minutes hit us hard,” said Miller.

“Two from set-pieces which we should have dealt better with, but that was maybe my only disappointment from the afternoon.

“I only asked for one thing yesterday and I got it.

“There were some huge positives in this game for us. Harry Allcock playing down the right was exceptional, Ross Dunlop grew in character in his first full season at UCL level, and the ever-impressive Kyle Reek staying in the ranks.”

Holwell face three games in five days as they look to catch up with their fixture backlog,

On Thursday they host Saffron Dynamo at Welby Road (kick-off 7.45pm) before trips to Harrowby United on Saturday (3pm) and Raunds Town the following Tuesday (7.45pm).