JAKE Turner kept his cool to bury a 90th-minute penalty and rescue a deserved point for Brightlingsea Regent, in tonight’s Ryman League showdown at home to Thurrock.
It capped a brilliant second-half performance from the hosts as they fought back from two-down to draw 2-2.
Jake Clowsley, who won the penalty, had earlier got the comeback started with a goal just before half-time.
Both sides went into the match in form, unbeaten in five north division games, including four victories apiece.
However, it was the title-chasing visitors who stamped their authority with two goals in the first half-hour.
The first came on 13 minutes and was an unstoppable long-range effort from Remi Sutton.
New Regent keeper Sam Cowler, who had made an outstanding point-blank save from Reece Morgan just before, was powerless to keep out the 30-yard effort.
Thurrock then added their second on 27 minutes.
David Cowley whipped in a perfect cross from the right and Charlie Cole met it at the near post to head home from close range.
Regent threw themselves a lifeline four minutes before the break.
Josh Gould’s towering header from Ricky Griggs’ corner forced a smart save on the line from Thurrock keeper Rhys Madden.
However, Clowsley pounced on the loose ball and prodded home from close range.
Regent produced a valiant display after the break and went agonisingly close through Terry Rymer, who screwed an effort just wide of the left-hand post.
However, in one last throw of the dice, the impressive Clowsley found himself through on goal before being chopped down by two Thurrock defenders.
After a delay for him to receive treatment, Turner coolly slotted home to snatch a well-merited point for James Webster's side.
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