Brentwood Town’s 94th minute equaliser snatched a vital point, with a thrilling climate to the 3-3 draw against Heybridge Swifts at the Brentwood Arena.
Heybridge took a commanding two goal lead through Sam West and Jack Barham in the first half.
Brentwood grabbed a quick second half goal to get back in the contest through Tom Richardson but Barham’s brace extended Heybridge’s lead to 3-1.
Sam Bantick’s close range goal gave Brentwood a lifeline with three minutes remaining and salvaged a point with a superbly struck free-kick in injury time.
Within the second minute, Heybridge almost shook Brentwood as Joe Pearman’s corner was met by Sam West’s header which was saved down low to Ollie Bowles’ right post.
Heybridge took the lead 27 minutes in, as a silly free-kick was given away by Daryl Robson. Pearman whipped in the free-kick which was missed by Bowles and West was left with an open goal to volley straight in.
Brentwood were still in shock from the first goal, as Swifts doubled their lead two minutes later from cross over the far side was left by Andrew Freeman. Barham came in at the far post to slot it past Bowles from close range.
Brentwood had a glorious chance to get back in the game as Sam Bantick’s corner was put on a plate for Alex Akrofi, but he headed over from six yards.
‘The Blues’ grabbed an instant second half goal two minutes into the second half as a quality bending cross by Daryl Robson was flicked in by the faintest of touches by Richardson.
Heybridge restored their two goal lead as Barham over hit in swinging cross found its way over the scrambling Bowles.
The visitors almost grabbed another as Shamido Pedulu’s fierce strike stung the hands of the diving Bowles, to keep Brentwood in the game.
Brentwood hit the bar from a short corner which was lifted in by Robbie Rees which pinged off the cross and was nervously cleared away from danger.
Akrofi was put through on goal, from neat play by substitute Sherwin Stanley and Richardson put to lift the ball in for Akrofi but as he was about to pull the trigger was tackled by West.
Brentwood scored with three minutes remaining as Bantick smashed home on the half volley from close range to give Brentwood a glimpse of hope.
In the fourth minute of injury time Bantick won a free-kick on the edge of the box. He stepped up to take the resulting free-kick and curled in a wicked strike into the far corner to salvage a point from the depths of defeat.
Brentwood Town Lineup: Ollie Bowles, Martyn Stokes ©, Christian Mbulu, Danny Dafter, Andy Freeman (76), James Love, Robbie Rees (83), Daryl Robson (64), Sam Bantick, Tom Richardson, Alex Akrofi
Substitutes: Louis Baucutt, Shad Ngandu (64), Jack Gardner, Sherwin Stanley (76), Michael Osei (83)
Heybridge Swifts Lineup: Danny Sambridge, James Fitchett, Tyler Tyles, Aaron Gayle, Sam West, Damien Green, Jack Barham, Joe Pearman, Billy Hunt, Shamido Pedulu, Luis De Silva Dias (84)
Substitutes: Shawn Beveney, James Regis, Kurtis Pykes (84), Sam Ashford, Cliff Akurang
Attendance: 69
