Chelmsford's slim chance of promotion disappeared on Sunday when they could only manage a draw at home to Barford Tigers.

Chelmsford, sponsored by Teakglobe Trading Limited, never really found their rhythm in a frequently niggly game that saw five yellow cards awarded.

In the end, a draw was a fair reflection of a match that leaves Chelmsford seven points adrift of leaders Lewes in fourth place with just four matches remaining.

Tigers opened the game promisingly as the Chelmsford midfield allowed play to be stretched.

With Jagdeep Soor pulling the strings from a deep position, Chelmsford struggled to pick up the other midfield players further up the pitch.

However, while stretched at times, the Chelmsford defence stood resolute.

The deadlock was broken in the 26th minute when Chelmsford's Gary Boucher drew two defenders before threading a defence-splitting pass through to Adam Hunter in the 'D'.

The young winger looked up and found Ben Farmer for a far post finish to put Chelmsford ahead.

Chelmsford then dropped off a few yards and allowed Barford possession deep in their own half.

The tactic worked and Chelmsford's lead was still intact at the break.

Whether it was a lack of concentration in the Chelmsford ranks or credit that should be given to the visitors is not certain.

Nevertheless, it was an action-packed start to the second half that saw Barford draw level.

With less than a minute gone, a Barford attack was ended by a rash challenge in the Chelmsford 'D' and the award of a penalty stroke.

For the second time this season, David Carter, 16, rose to the occasion to make an emphatic save to the relief of his team-mates.

Carter's efforts were in vain, for within 30 seconds, captain Andrew Kennedy's sloppy clearance gave possession away and Saptal Degun swept the ball home to level the score.

Both sides had opportunities to snatch all the points, but the flow of the game was interrupted by several spiteful incidents that saw players from both sides temporarily suspended.

In the end, the final whistle came as something of a relief to all concerned.

After the match Chelmsford player/coach Craig Fulton was realistic about the result when he said, "For some reason we didn't do enough to win the game today and allowed ourselves to be distracted from the job of playing hockey.

"If we are to seriously challenge for promotion next season then we must address the problem of our poor home form. I think we've only lost one away match, but that must be balanced against just two home wins this season."

This Sunday, Chelmsford travel to Lewes for a game that the home side will be keen to win to maintain their promotion campaign.

Chelmsford will be looking to avenge the 5-2 defeat at Chelmer Park earlier in the season. The game starts at 1.30pm at the Southdown Club.

At a stretch . . action from Saturday's Crowe Insurance East League Division Two South match between the leaders, Brentwood, and Southend, Brentwood maintaining their title challenge with a 3-1 win.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.