Johnson keeps Town's Supplementary Cup hopes alive

Town showed a lot of character to come back from a goal down on three occasions and may feel a little disappointed that they couldn't convert their possession into more goals.

Town were dealt a blow before kick off when Danny Bent had to withdraw with a recurrence of his knee injury but Mickey Stones proved to be a more than adequate replacement on his return to first team action after a lengthy absence. Town started well and their midfield trio of Steve Lovett, Ollie Johnson and Richard Jackson seeing a lot of the ball. Jackson was getting forward well to support Stones but Town were finding it hard to break down a well organised home defence. Carl Smith and Tony Edwards occupied the wide positions but they were finding it hard to get in behind their full-backs and too often Town's approach play brought no end result.

Despite enjoying far less possession, the home threatened when they did get forward and Nathan Rawdon touched an in-swinging cross just wide.

However, minutes later their winger cut in from the left before clipping a fine ball into the box for their centre forward to head past Lewis Burchnall in Town's goal. To their credit Town were not behind for long and when Ollie Johnson fired a fine ball into Stones, Mickey turned quickly before firing a low shot beyond the keeper. Town were now in the ascendancy but shortly before half-time they conceded a really poor goal. Nathan Rawdon fouled their winger needlessly and when the resulting free-kick was delivered towards the near post, Steve Lovett completely missed the ball and it nestled in the bottom corner.

It could have been worse just before the break when Town's defensive frailties were exposed again but as their striker broke clear, his attempted chip was well saved by Burchnall.

Manager Paul Johnson demanded more from his players in the second half and he was forced to make changes at the break with Rawdon having to go off injured. Steve Lovett reverted to full-back and Carl Smith came into central midfield with James Melia operating down the left. Town started the half with renewed urgency and both Smith and Edwards were more prominent after the break. Tony was causing the home defence problems down the right and on the hour he ran onto another fine ball from Ollie Johnson before lifting the ball over the keeper as he came out to meet him.

Town were playing with greater urgency and looking a threat going forward with Jackson working hard and Stones continuing to lead the line well. A cross from Edwards just eluded Melia and Stones saw his shot on the turn gathered well by the keeper. In defence Town still looked vulnerable and Burchnall saved Scott Lowman's blushes with a sharp save. Callum Low and Lowman were kept busy by Nettleham's lively front line and when the ball was whipped in from wide on the right their centre forward scored with a fine header despite looking to be well offside.

Town could have been forgiven for feeling sorry for themselves having worked hard to get on level terms but as the game entered the final fifteen minutes they pushed forward in search of a third equalising goal. A low cross from Edwards was bravely saved by their keeper but he had to retire injured and Town took advantage to score a third goal past their makeshift replacement. Town were awarded a free-kick to the left of the penalty area and Ollie Johnson's delivery eluded everyone before going in at the far post.

Town were looking to more likely winners and Daniel Bodily replaced the impressive Johnson for the final minutes. There best chance of securing a win came when Stones laid the ball back to Jackson but he chose to try and play the ball back into Stones rather than shooting from the edge of the area.

Shortly afterwards the referee ended an entertaining game which was spoilt at times by some strange decisions by the officials but overall Town will have been satisfied with the final result as it leaves them in with a realistic chance of progressing through their group. Next Saturday Town return to league action when they host CGB Humbertherm on the The Wong - kick off 3pm.

Team: Burchnall, Rawdon (J.Melia), Shinn, Low, Lowman, O.Johnson (Bodily), Smith, Jackson, Stones, Lovett, Edwards. Unused sub: Bent.