Blues denied after tale of three penalties and two reds

Dunstable Town conceded a last-gasp equaliser yet again as they were held to a 1-1 draw against struggling Cirencester in a match that had three penalties and two sendings off too.

The hosts, who were looking to hit back from a 3-2 defeat to Kettering on Tuesday night, began with purpose, Gedeon Okito’s early cross cut out by former Leyton Orient keeper Glyn Garner.

Cirencester’s only effort saw Kerry Morgan’s set-piece easy for home keeper Jack Smith, while Blues striker Nathan Olukanmi’s pace and inventive play livened up proceedings, his shot saved after a fine solo run.

However, the visitors were then awarded the first of the three spotkicks on 20 minutes after Danny Talbot handballed, only for Smith to pull off a wonderful save from Alan Griffin’s firmly struck effort.

Boosted by this, Dunstable created two good chances, Vences Bola denied by Garner, although from the second, they did take the lead as Griffin’s poor backpass was seized upon by the fleet-footed Olukanmi who raced clear to make it 1-0.

Bola was almost through shortly afterwards, while Dan Demkiv had a chance for Cirencester, before Olukanmi’s precise pass set up Jack Green, who was off target.

After the break, a flare-up saw Shane Bush and Bola booked, along with Aidan Bennett for his part in proceedings, with Blues’ David Longe-King acting as peacemaker.

Bola, Olukanmi and Bush combined well, with Olukanmi losing possession at the final moment, while Bradley Hewitt’s glancing header lacked sufficient power.

Olukanmi combined with Zack Reynolds for another foray which was foiled by Glyn Garner, with the keeper denying Bush too, with Olukanmi’s cross blasted over the top by Bush.

Dunstable were then awarded a penalty in the last minute when Bola was brought down in the box by Bennett, who was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

However, Talbot stepped up and despite sending Garner the wrong way, fired his shot against the post.

Cirencester then went up the other end and Okito was penalised for a push, with the Blues defender shown a straight red.

Kerry Morgan stepped up to ensure the visitors a share of the spoils as Dunstable are 15th in the table and travel to Basingstoke tomorrow before visiting leaders Chippenham at the weekend.

Dunstable: Jack Smith, Zack Reynolds, Gedeon Okito, Danny Talbot, Bradley Hewitt, Adam Pepera (C), Nathan Olukanmi, David Longe-King, Vences Bola (Adam Moussi), Shane Bush, Jack Green (Kelvin Bossman).

Subs not used: Jordan Odofin, Max Risby, Sam Baffour.

Cirencester: Glyn Garner, Ben Brown, Aidan Bennett, James Mortimer-Jones, Gethin Jones, Matt Coupe, Matt Liddiard, Adam Connolly, Alan Griffin, Dan Demkiv (Henry Spalding), Kerry Morgan.

Subs not used: Charlie Griffin, Kieran Diaz-Benitez, Ryan Elliott.

MOM: Nathan Olukanmi.

Attendance: 94.