A LAST-GASP goal denied Little Oakley victory as they had to be content with a 1-1 draw at Hullbridge Sports in the Essex Senior League, writes LARRY DOBKIN.

Despite starting without four key players due to unavailability or suspension, the Acorns started much the brighter.

And they went ahead after five minutes through Oli Hart, who powered home a header from Luke Hipkin's free-kick.

It was almost 2-0 when Papple brought a fine save from Lamar Johnson after being found in the box by Harman.

Hullbridge went close when Tobi Coker fired a 30-yard shot towards goal that bounced in front of Lawlor who did well to hold onto a greasy ball.

Oakley then put together four passes leading to Ed Nobbs firing straight at the keeper, after being through on goal.

Just before half-time, Hullbridge's pacy centre-forward Derek Asamoah went on a mazy run and looked to be in on goal, only for Wood to make a last-ditch tackle.

The Acorns went in at the break ahead but Hullbridge started the second half well.

Some excellent defending by Nobbs saw him got a toe on the ball which ended in Lawlor’s hands, after Coker's sharp cross looked to have found Kamara who was stretching to reach it in the six-yard box.

A well worked move down the touchline went into the Hullbridge area and was partially cleared to Papple on the edge of the box, who fired a shot marginally wide.

Both teams were playing end to end attacking football when Hart picked up the ball in the centre circle and ran at the Hullbridge defence leaving several players behind him, only to hit a wild shot high and wide.

Lawlor made a fingertip save to push Asamoah's effort over the bar for a corner before Papple fired wide after Mann's fantastic piece of skill saw him take the ball out of the air on the goal-line and leave the defender stranded.

Asamoah's powerful shot was brilliantly saved by Lawlor and at the other end Mann's volley beat the keeper but hit the crossbar, with Papple firing the rebound wide.

And with time almost up, a cross into the Oakley box was jointly met by Nobbs and Asamoah and the ball flew past Lawlor, to deny Oakley the win.

Oakley player of the match was Oli Hart - a great performance in a new position for a young man with bundles of promise.