Rory’s late header eases the pain as battling Blues suffer more setbacks
Cruise Nyadzayo and scorer Rory McAuley celebrating after Lowestoft's goal. Picture: Shirley D Whitlow - Credit: Archant
Rory McAuley’s last-ditch equaliser earned battling Lowestoft a valuable point.
Blues manager Ady Gallagher was without defenders Travis Cole and Ollie Humphrey, midfielders Rossi Jarvis and Andrew Fisk plus striker Josh Greenleaf – all joined on the sidelines at the interval by Shaun Bammant and Callum White.
On the plus side, substitute Cruise Nyadzayo had arguably his best outing for the team and Sam Borrer, making his debut, looked composed and will be an asset when fully fit.
The first 20 minutes were cagey – Anthony O’Connor flashed a header just wide and Blues keeper Ben Dudzinski dived bravely at the feet of Charles Banya while for the hosts, Jacek Zielonka sent a free-kick marginally over.
Harrow broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute as a high bouncing ball cleared the Lowestoft defence; Banya watched it like a hawk before hitting a tremendous volley from 20 yards.
You may also want to watch:
Five minutes later Bammant limped off to be replaced by Nyadzayo, but Lowestoft’s composure went and their goal had a charmed life as Harrow forwards constantly cut through.
White failed to appear for the second half with Borrer coming on for his debut. With Nyadzayo giving Jake Reed more support up front and Borrer more competitive in midfield, Lowestoft began to put some pressure on the Harrow defence. Reed’s neat flick set Nyadzayo muscling his way through only to be denied by a brave save by Melvin Minter. Harvey Hodd, twice, and Zielonka both put efforts just wide.
Most Read
- 1 Norwich City transfer rumours: Swindon hoping to sign Omotoye on loan
- 2 No panic buy for Canaries after Hugill injury blow
- 3 Paddy Davitt: Player ratings after Canaries' 1-0 Barnsley defeat
- 4 Farke's injury fears for Hugill after Barnsley FA Cup loss
- 5 Paddy's Pointers: Five observations from the Canaries' 1-0 FA Cup defeat against Barnsley
- 6 Paddy Davitt verdict: Cup finals aplenty if City seal the deal
- 7 Rusty returns could prove crucial in the long run for fit-again City stars
- 8 'Concentrate on the league klaxon' - City fans express disappointment at FA Cup exit
- 9 Norwich City transfer rumours: Canaries interested in Luton midfielder
- 10 Farke's words of advice for Soto
With the game deep into injury time Lowestoft won several corners. From the final one Dudzinski joined the attack and as Zielonka’s corner came across, the keeper seemed to draw the huge Harrow defenders to him, leaving McAuley unmarked to steer a far post header back across goal and into the net.
Lowestoft: Dudzinski, White (Borrer 46), Barker, Westlake, McAuley, Leacock, Zielonka, Smith, Reed, Hodd, Bammant (Nyadzayo 28), Subs not used: Wren, Putnins.
Harrow Borough: Minter, Moore, Uade, Richards, Ujah, Preddie, Banya, Cumberbatch, Stanislaus, Bryan (Pacquette 82), O’Connor, Subs not used: McLeod, Cain, Hall.
Referee: T Hancock. Att: 378.