Kingstonian 2-2 Harrow Borough

Shaun Lucien’s late double gave 10-man Harrow an unlikely first point of an otherwise wretched December at title chasing Kingstonian on Saturday, writes Simon Grigor.

Forced to play a man short from the 29th minute onwards following the dismissal of skipper Danny Leech, Borough looked to be on their way to fifth successive league defeat when they trailed 2-0 with just 11 minutes to play.

Dave Anderson’s men were in need of a hero – step forward Lucien.

The winger, confined to the bench until the 54th minute struck not once but twice with shots from the edge of the box, the second in the final minute to steal a draw and give the Earlsmead-based outfit some much-needed confidence heading into the New Year’s Day derby away to leaders Wealdstone.

Dave Anderson had shuffled his pack after the poor Boxing Day defeat at home to Metropolitan Police.

He was forced to find a goalkeeper with James Shea suspended so in came Billy Granger, on loan from AFC Wimbledon.

With Crystal Palace loanee Luke Croll injured there was a long-awaited debut at centre-back for Anthony Maissiat, signed back in the autumn on a dual-registration with Hemel Hempstead, while up front-front there was a return for Victor Osobu and a first start for Oliver Hawkins.

Second in the table, the hosts came hard at Harrow from the start.

Granger made a good tip away from Charlie Knight, while Tommy Kavanagh’s shot cannoned off team-mate Ryan Moss.

Knight then danced round Brandon Horner and squared the ball for Dee Okojie, but after Granger blocked his first effort the Ks’ man fired the rebound wide.

Harrow had not shown anything in attack when they found themselves a goal and a man down after half an hour.

Maissiat, who otherwise had an assured game, erred with a short pass, intercepted by a home forward who went through on goal. Leech tripped him and, with it being a clear goal-scoring opportunity, off went the Harrow captain.

Andre McCollin sent Granger the wrong way from the penalty spot to fire Ks in front.

Down to 10 men, Harrow finally made themselves a chance, and a glorious one it was, Hawkins through with just Tolfrey to beat but the new man hesitated allowing the keeper to dive at his feet and save.

Just as on Boxing Day, Harrow conceded a second goal in the 49th minute when Knight’s deep cross eluded Granger and Moss tapped in at the far post.

Anderson gambled going to three at the back, while throwing on Lucien and club captain Rob Wolleaston to stiffen the midfield.

Hawkins had a weak shot saved by Tolfrey, and Jordan Berry came onto a pass but delayed his shot and the half-chance was gone.

At the other end, Kingstonian were increasingly profligate with their shooting, a number of efforts clearing the roof of the new stand at the Kingston Road end.

A third Harrow change saw Michael Barima come on to provide width on the right and he was involved in the build-up to the 79th minute goal which offered Borough a lifeline.

The visitors built an attack down the right before Wolleaston cut the ball back invitingly for Lucien to thump a 20-yard screamer beyond Rob Tolfrey and in off the far post.

Granger dived full length to turn away a drive by McCollin, but Harrow now had the scent of a great escape and Simeon Akinola gave hint to what was to come when he held off two defenders but fired into the side netting.

The game was in the 90th minute when Jordan Berry picked up a loose home pass and played the ball through to Lucien in an almost identical position to his first strike.

With the home defence backing off, he again let fly, and this time the ball went ‘through’ keeper Tolfrey to level the scores.

There was one last dangerous free-kick to survive before Borough could celebrate a precious point and one which could bring another turnaround in their topsy-turvy season.