Concord Rangers 1-1 East Thurrock United

(Chiedozie 78’: Wraight 90')

From the Aspect Arena

National League South

TOM Wraight's injury-time free-kick secured a share of the spoils for East Thurrock at rivals Concord Rangers.

It appeared as though v]Jordan Chiedozie’s late strike had handed Concord the points against rivals East Thurrock.

The striker finished with aplomb 12 minutes from time but Wraight buried his late effort superbly.

Rocks had the first chance of the afternoon but Sam Higgins shot was hooked wide.

Next, Ben Marlow made the most of hesitancy in defence and he squared for Higgins who appeared to have an easy tap in. But Rob Girdlestone got back brilliantly to keep it goalless.

But Concord were growing into the game and a moment of inspiration almost put the hosts ahead on 15 minutes.

Tony Stokes did brilliantly to control a high ball and his snapshot was inches wide of goalkeeper Lukas Lidakevicius’ far post.

Higgins sent a looping effort over the crossbar but there was little between the two rivals.

Sam Collins’ daisy-cutter tested Lidakevicius, while Michael Clark’s goal-bound header was cleared off the line by his own player, although the referee had blown his whistle for an infringement.

The Lithuanian was the busier keeper, with a strong right hand keeping out a travelling left-footed effort from Lyle Delle-Verde.

Goalless at the break, Reece Harris had the first chance of the second period, cutting inside on his favoured left foot but his angled drive was pushed to safety by Vose.

Chiedozie saw a goal chalked off for offside on the hour mark as the game hung in the balance and he came even closer minutes later.

A free-kick from Collins found Chiedozie at the near post and his flick beat Lidakevicius but cannoned back off the post.

Delle-Verde was the next to come close but his straight drive, although beating the goalkeeper, also arrowed past the far post.

Concord were on top, although substitute James Walker was only denied what could have been the opening goal by a brilliant sliding block from James White.

But from the resulting corner Concord broke to lethal effect.

Delle-Verde sprinted forward and his reverse pass found Chiedozie who powered beyond Lidakevicius and into the far corner.

With the clock ticking down, a Higgins free-kick deflected into the path of substitute Joe Gardner but the ex Concord man was kept out by Vose.

Wraight headed wide before his moment came. The winger curled with aplomb past Vose to wild celebrations.

Concord Rangers: Vose, Girdlestone, Wyatt, Dowie, Norman, Collins, White, Chiedozie, Cawley, Delle-Verde (Laucys), Stokes (Sembe-Ferris)

East Thurrock United: Lidakevicius, Freiter (Gardner), Nesbitt (Honesty), Clark, Burns, Wood, Harris, Craddock (Walker), Higgins, Marlow, Wraight