There wasn’t so much a collective sigh just a stunned silence that met Concord’s 95th minute equaliser that salvaged a point that should have been beyond them.
Boro, ahead at half time, with several good chances to extend the lead, then with a man advantage for the final 20 minutes contrived not to win in a fashion reminiscent of last season’s early woes.
Following the FA Trophy win at Wroxham Ruben started hist first game of the season, Alaa dropping to the bench, and Dan replaced Tommy.
After being one of sides relegated from the Premier League along with Boro last season Concord have certainly made a better start to league life, lying above mid-table. Boro, winless and pointless in four league matches needed to start to get results to match the cup form.
Perhaps mindful that Boro haven’t started games particularly quickly this season Concord started with a lot of urgency. While Boro largely matched their industry, we didn’t have enough control to threaten in the early stages. Equally, Concord were limited to a couple of shots from range and crosses from deep positions, dealt with by Michael and the defence.
Joe and Matt had half chance thwarted as Boro began to push forward more. George, Demmy and Manny seeing more of the ball, Ruben and Caleb willing runners getting forward on the flanks. One move down the left, involving the latter found Joe at the near post. Under pressure he toe poked the ball towards the near post where it was smothered by the keeper.
Boro were gradually getting on top. Concord attacks had become more fleeting, and Boro drawing more free kicks as their work rate created more half breaks.
And from one of these free kicks Boro took the lead just before the half hour. It was simple but well worked. Demmy’s ball was on the money, Scott had pulled away to the back post where he climbed to power and header down into the net
Concord tried to respond, with Haringey able to repel any advances, the most dangerous of which came as result of a loose Boro pass. Michael handled the ensuing effort easily enough. He’d have one final save to make from an angled shot late in the half.
However, by that time it was hard to believe Boro weren’t 2 up. In a frantic passage of play we had 3 chances to extend the lead. Credit to Concord’s defence for throwing themselves to block shots from Matt and Joe, before Ruben couldn’t direct his far post header the same way Scott had done a few minutes before.
Before half time Dan had to be replaced by Sean Sankanu but were ahead at the break.
The second half began with Concord making a couple of substitutions, but the game largely remained in the pattern from the first half.
Michael dealt with whatever came his way, Sean, Scott and J’Ardell marshalled the back line, and we generally played away from our own area. The good chances came but were intermittent. The clearest chance fell to Joe. In acres of space at the back post Ruben’s cross was perfect. Credit to the Concord keeper from getting back across his goal before Joe’s header could sneak inside the post.
Alaa replaced Ruben soon after and Concord appeared fortunate to keep 11 players on the pitch as a robust challenge, which looked high, left Joe in a heap, but produced only a yellow card. But they soon were down to 10 as the same player, who had only been introduced 10 minutes into the second half, made an almost identical challenge on George near halfway. The referee left with little option than to brandish a second caution and a red card.
Having been in the same position the previous Tuesday at Witham, a gaol and a man to the good, Boro looked to press home their advantage.
Richard and Oli were introduced in the latter stages as Boro looked to close the game out
Matt saw his curled effort from the edge of the are tipped round the post after it had taken a slight deflection, then Fred, 6 yards out centrally couldn’t sort his feet out and steered wide when it looked easier to score.
As the referee indicated 6 added minutes what had looked unlikely for most of the half started to appear more feasible. Boro were sitting back and at times it seemed Concord had the extra man with wide players in space. And in the final minutes of added time their progressive play paid off. Boro had conceded a couple of corners before a third was headed goalwards. Scott had retreated onto the line and looked to have headed away, only for the assistant referee to signal the ball had crossed the line. The only noise to be heard round Coles Park were the celebrating Concord players.
It could, and should, have been a first home league win since March, but Boro now need to regroup as attention turns back to the FA Cup with the visit of Lowestoft town on Saturday.
Boro line up; Acquah; Tavares-Baptista; Dennis; Nicolaou; Mitchell; Stirling; Yeboah; Aresti; Waight; Young; Carey-Evans
Subs: Ennin; Sankanu; Oujdi; Agyemang; Fusiek
Att: 188
