Teddy Furman scored with the last kick of the game to earn Elston United a hard-earned draw against AC United. Despite playing well for most of the game, The Clams found themselves 2-0 down with 20 minutes remaining, but a speculative effort from Tom Hazelwood pulled a goal back before Elston’s pressure finally told when Furman pounced on a loose ball from Hazelwood’s corner to poke the ball home.

After a run of relatively poor results and performances, this was something like a return to Elston’s pre-Christmas form, and the late goal tasted even sweeter to those who witnessed AC United’s similar last-second win in the reverse fixture.

The first half was a tight affair with few chances. Sam Adcock made a tremendous double save to deny AC United after 30 minutes, while a good move down the left involving Xander Millar, Will Veys and James Scott was nearly turned in by Hazelwood.

The game sprung to life in the second half, however. A controversial opener from AC United after 55 minutes saw two potential fouls on Elston defenders, but the referee didn’t blow his whistle and let the AC United striker sweep the ball home. Ten minutes later, a corner from the visitors was deflected across the goal and Archie Dillon could do nothing to prevent the ball from rebounding off him and into the corner.

In recent weeks, this setback may have been the end for Elston, but The Clams continued to attack and fight back. Two free kicks from Scott went over the bar, while Rui Thacker almost intercepted a back pass and Sam Lloyd’s strike from 12 yards was inches away from pulling a goal back.

Elston didn’t have to wait too much longer to score, however, as Hazelwood’s cross-cum-shot from the left wing sailed over the AC United keeper and into the net. The final 20 minutes saw a flurry of attacks from The Clams who were camped in AC United’s half, and a series of injury time throw-ins and corners were finally rewarded with Furman’s last-gasp strike.

Elston United: Sam Adcock, Barney Repper (Tom Newbold, 75), James Smith, Toby Craven, Xander Millar (Sam Lloyd, 46), Toby Cullen, Archie Dillon (Teddy Furman, 62), Thomas Hazelwood, James Scott, Will Veys, James Clarke (Rui Thacker, 62).