PAUL Robinson's second goal in as many games earned Eastwood a replay after visitors Harrogate had twice led the match.

The tall defender struck 12 minutes from time - adding to an earlier strike by fellow centre-half Mark Hume earlier on.

Eastwood opted for a 'same again' starting line-up after the win over Ashton United, meaning Marc Smith and Peter Knox, their most physical strike duo, were limited to the subs' bench.

For the opening exchanges, Eastwood looked more confident and when Hume climbed high to head Andy Todd's free-kick past Jim Provett, the sight of an offside flag was a huge disappointment.

Todd then combined with Lindon Meikle and, from the resultant low cross, Ian Holmes glanced a header inches wide.

Fully 30 minutes had gone before James Dean profited from a careless and over-confident pass across their own penalty area by two home midfielders. The powerful striker turned sharply and Shane Redmond had to soar athletically to his right to grab the ball.

From the keeper's clearance, Holmes turned Denny Ingram and when Provett fumbled his teasing cross-shot, Richard Dunning had a good effort blocked.

Richard's twin brother Darren had an easier task dead on the interval when Russell Cooke, in what can only have been a momentary aberration, threw up an arm as Dean enroached on Nathan Peat's set-piece.

No argument about the offence and Darren Dunning converted the 'gift' to send his side in with a scarcely justified lead.

From the resumption, Eastwood went straight into attack mode, but even Anton Foster's huge midfield appetite was wasted as the amount of possession he won was ruined by high balls launched towards a strike force much better equipped and obviously happier with service on floor level.

The introduction of Smith for Alistair Asher was a sensible change and the newcomer's height was vital in gaining a corner.

Richard Dunning's set-piece delivery was pinpointed for Hume whose 56th minute header levelled at 1-1.

Not for the first time, Eastwood got hugely over-enthusiastic and far too careless and, less than five minutes later, the visitors, who had only rarely threatened, were again ahead.

More composed defending would have worked the ball clear but Dean's shot scuffing its way through a congested goalmouth looked totally innocuous.

I was at the wrong end of the ground but willingly accept that Redmond's apparent failure to get in line was 95 per cent down to a wickedly unpredictable deflection.

With Smith giving Ingram and Justin Whittle a torrid time in the air, the Eastwood forward was smacked in the face by Ingram who had already been yellow-carded.

With blood streaming from Smith's head as it recently had done from cuts to both Robinson and Hume, Stone-based referee Mr Gratton turned a blind eye but rewarded Paul Cox's remonstrations with a dismissal.

Now seriously upset by the dubious tactics of the visitors and the 'wise monkeys' oblivion of the officials, Eastwood hurled everything at Harrogate and newly-introduced Peter Knox set up Holmes with a swashbuckling burst past two defenders and a hard-driven chest-high cross.

Eastwood's leading scorer achieved firm head contact but saw his effort shave the outside of Provett's right-hand post. Foster followed up but spoiled a determined run by shooting wide.

Another corner from the Eastwood Dunning twin set up an overdue equaliser in 78 minutes.

Both Hume and Robinson vigorously contested the cross and the latter coming in behind his defensive partner headed powerfully beyond Provett.

Eastwood continued to look the likelier victors but Ross Gardner just failed to connect with Todd's cross and Smith was clearly pulled back by multiple offender Ingram whose continued presence was arguably due to weak refereeing.

A late break by Harrogate was always on the cards and Redmond pulled off a last ditch save to deny Dean, another serial offender very leniently treated by a referee who seemed animated only when words were exchanged.

Whilst I find it hard to excuse anyone, let alone a manager being drawn into arguing with a referee, I tried to discuss the matter with Mr Gratton.

Despite advice that the recent 'respect' campaign should allow for 'dialogue', this referee said he found my questions intrusive and was too busy watching England on TV.

We'll wait and see what his report claims.

In a generally enjoyable and always competitive game, Anton Foster was, by common consent 'Best Badger'.


Eastwood Town
1 - Shane Redmond
2 - Alistair Asher (Marc Smith 52)
3 - Russell Cooke
4 - Paul Robinson
5 - Mark Hume
6 - Richard Dunning
7 - Anton Foster
8 - Andy Todd
9 - Ian Holmes
10 - Lindon Meikle (Peter Knox 62)
11 - Ross Gardner
Subs not used: Tris Whitman, Craig Swinscoe, Chris Shaw, Wayne Diuk, Ian Deakin (GK)
Attendance: 401
Referee: D Gratton (Stone)
Best Badger - Anton Foster