Ryman League Premier

Harrow Borough 1

Enfield Town       1

ANTHONY Massiat’s untimely red card on Saturday means Harrow Borough still have work to do to avoid the murky waters of the Ryman Premier’s relegation zone, w rites Tyrone Callender-Edwards .

Knowing they had to match struggling Enfield Town in two back to back matches over four days to all but secure safety for another season, Dave Anderson’s men looked to be sitting pretty when they led 1-0 courtesy of Simeon Akinola’s first –half effort.

However, French centre-back Massiat was sent to the dressing rooms 10 minutes after the break for a push deemed by the referee to have denied a clear goal-scoring chance allowing Enfield the penalty which would level the scores

The 10 -men managed to hold out with some comfort and gain a point, which still leaves them 12 points ahead of their north London rivals having played three games more, prior to the second game between the two sides on Tuesday night.

Akinola’s 12th of the season gave borough what seemed a precious lead on 31 minutes. Shaun Lucien corner kick evaded many players in the box to kindly fall in front of the former Boreham Wood striker who managed to finish first time with a low left foot shot.

Akinola was soon on the attack again with a bursting counter from his own half, which won him a free kick at the edge of the Enfield Town box as he was abruptly brought down.

Lucien’s deliveries were proving a handful for the Towners and this one located an unmarked Michael Peacock, whose bullet header went just wide of the right hand post amid gasps from all around the stadium.

A nervy moment on the stroke of half time saw a Enfield corner cause panic in the Boro’ box as the ball appeared to come off a defender and head goal-wards, but ex-Arsenal goalkeeper James Shea  managed to adjust to and collect the ball on the line.

Two minutes after the restart, Akinola had the chance to add another goal to the score sheet following a Lucien cross which was glanced on by skipper Rob Wolleaston to Akinola but the front-man struggled to get the ball out of his feet, and missed the target.

Controversy followed on 55 minutes as Massiat was sent to the dressing rooms following a push in the back on an attacker in the penalty area much to the disappointment and confusion of the whole Harrow team and supporters.

Liam Hope stepped up and scored the penalty handing his side a lifeline in a game in which to that point they had been second best.

Borough resisted bravely a man short and will be encouraged by the way they denied Town chances with relative ease.

Not only that but they were within inches of the win they needed in the final minutes when Adam Louth’s free-kick beat keeper Noel Imber only to crash of the crossbar and go behind for a goal kick.

Borough must hope for a better share of lady luck on Tuesday.