Dunstable lose at home to Poppies

Dunstable Town were beaten by a late winner as they lost 3-2 to Kettering in their Southern League Premier Division clash at Creasey Park on Tuesday night.

The hosts welcomed Danny Green back from injury, as Vences Bola was an early threat, seeing his shot saved by Paul White.

Kettering’s Liam Canavan also went close, before Blues were hit by an injury to Green, with David Longe-King coming on.

The visitors took the lead on 23 minutes through former Luton Town striker Aaron O’Connor.

Dunstable almost levelled instantly as a back pass was seized upon by Bola, who couldn’t beat White.

However, Dunstable had restored parity when Zack Reynolds and Bola combined for Longe-King to find the net on 32 minutes.

The hosts then had a good spell of pressure as Shane Bush set up Bola for a shot that was saved by White.

Lewis Hornby tried a wind-assisted lob from range for the Poppies that was assisted by the wind but held by Jack Smith.

The home keeper was beaten three minutes before half time through as he punched a corner clear, only for the ball to be crossed back in for O’Connor to glance home his second.

However, Dunstable were back on level terms almost instantly though as Jack Kelly’s awful backpass was picked up by Bola who kept his cool to find the net.

In the second period, both sides looked for a winner as Nathan Olukanmi’s cross was well cleared, while Kelly’s ball into the box was cut out by Smith.

With 12 minute left though, ex-Peterborough forward Rene Howe netted what turned out to be the winner, showing great persistence and strength to beat Smith.

Dunstable plugged away for the equaliser, as a corner sailed on to the roof of the net, while Gedeon Okito’s delivery was claimed by White.

They almost fell further behind though when substitute Max Risby was caught in possession, but the chance went begging.

The Blues’ best opportunity saw Bola put his free wider off target as they fell to a second successive defeat.

Dunstable stay 15th in the table and host Cirencester Town this weekend.

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

Subs not used: Jordan Odofin, Kane Pope.

Kettering: Paul White, Liam Bateman (Nathan Hicks), Dom Langdon, Brett Solkhon, Lewis Hornby, Liam Canavan (Jack O’Connor), Aaron O’Connor, Rene Howe, James Hall (Jorrin John), Jack Kelly.

Subs not used: Nathan Hicks, Paul Malone.

Attendance: 181.