Potters Bar 1, Lowestoft Town 1

Jonathan Redhead A late poacher's effort from substitute Gary McGee claimed a hard-earned point for the Blues last night. It looked as if the Ryman League Division One North leaders would leave Hertforshire empty-handed, but two minutes from time an unmarked McGee was on hand to prod home Jamie Godbold's low cross from six yards out to salvage something from the game.

Jonathan Redhead

A late poacher's effort from substitute Gary McGee claimed a hard-earned point for the Blues last night.

It looked as if the Ryman League Division One North leaders would leave Hertforshire empty-handed, but two minutes from time an unmarked McGee was on hand to prod home Jamie Godbold's low cross from six yards out to salvage something from the game.

It leaves the Blues five points clear at the top of the table after nearest rivals Concord Rangers defeated Tilbury 3-0.

But for long periods it seemed as if Jake Parratt's stunning long-range strike in the first half would hand Potters Bar Town all the points.

Lowestoft started on the front foot and almost took the lead on six minutes with a little help from home keeper Matt Bennett. Andrew Fisk's shot from the edge of the box was tame at best, but Bennett somehow misjudged the flight and it bounced up over the bar off his shoulder.

Bennett was saved by a defender a minute later when Neil Plaskett's header from an Adam Smith corner looked destined for the net but ricocheted off a Scholars' player and over.

The home side finally got into the game and Andy Reynolds was forced to rush from his line to save from the speedy Jordan Watson.

Football was becoming difficult on a sticky pitch and in wet and windy conditions, but it was the home side who took the lead seven minutes before the interval. Joe O'Brien broke clear of the Blues' defence but as the ball got stuck under his feet, Parratt was on hand from 35 yards out to clip the ball over the stranded Reynolds.

Lowestoft tried to respond and Guy Helman was forced into a desperate clearance from Godbold's driven free-kick just before the interval.

Darren Cockrill replaced the injured Greg Crane in the centre of defence at half-time, but as the Blues chased an equaliser, the home side were threatening on the break.

On 65 minutes, O'Brien had a chance to double the lead when he broke clean through again, but dragged his shot well wide.

With 21 minutes to go, the Blues threw on striker McGee in place of Joe Francis and switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

It took Lowestoft until eight minutes from time to get another shot on target, but Smith's free kick from 20 yards out was straight at Bennett.

With four minutes to go a wonder save from Bennett looked set to deny the Blues as he thwarted Danny Bloomfield from four yards out.

But McGee was on hand to turn home Godbold's cross to earn a vital point for the visitors.

t Lowestoft Town: Reynolds; Plaskett, Smith, Crane (Darren Cockrill, 45), Halliday; Holt, Fisk, Dale Cockrill, Francis (McGee 69), Godbold; Nolan (Bloomfield, 82). Subs not used: Bussens, Forshaw. Att: 114