Rovers dumped out of Trophy in stoppage time

Barton Rovers were dumped out of the FA Trophy on Tuesday evening after conceding two stoppage time goals.

Leading 3-1 with 10 minutes to go, it had looked like the visitors would be moving through to the next round, but Sudbury netted three times to break Barton’s hearts.

Rovers made a flying start with Connor Vincent forcing a decent save from the home keeper for a corner and Lucas Perry’s header hit the post.

Jason Blackett was the next to have a chance for Rovers followed up by Elliot Bailey but neither found the target.

Sudbury were attacking too Kyle Forster was forced into making saves from the lively Sam Bantick and Robbie Martin.

It was Barton who opened the scoring when a long ball over the top found Vincent who expertly brought it down and turned to slot home.

Sudbury were awarded what can only be described as a soft penalty when a floated in corner found no-one but the referee adjudged Rovers guilty of a push and pointed to the spot.

At this point tempers became frayed resulting in two Barton players finding themselves in the book and the manager banished to the stands, although justice was done when Forster saved the resulting penalty.

In the second period, Barton forced saves from home keeper Oliver Bowles before eventually doubling the lead when Elliot Bailey calmly slotted home.

Sudbury reduced the deficit on the hour mark as Liam Wales beat, but it was 3-1 with 23 minutes to go as man of the match Jordan Davis produced a fine finish.

However, Luke Callender cut the lead to 3-2 on 81 mins but some dogged defending looked to have seen Rovers hold on for the win only for the officials to add nine minutes of injury time.

With Sudbury camped in Barton’s 18-yard box the inevitable happened and Ryan Henshow equalised for the visitors on 96 minutes and with extra time surely looming the game took a further twist when on 98 minutes Stefano Mallardo rose highest from a corner to beat the stranded Foster.

Next up for Rovers is the visit of King’s Lynn Town on Tuesday evening in the first round of the Red Insure Cup.