Evo-Stik Northern Premier League

Saturday 10 March 2018

For the third time in four home games, Rangers threw away a two goal lead as a late show from Lancaster earned the visitors a point.

The Boro were dealt a blow shortly before kick off when it was decided not to risk keeper Adam Whitehouse, who reported in with a back strain, giving Brad Caswell his first appearance since November. Otherwise it was the same line up that lost to Coalville in mid week.

On a greasy surface Lancaster made the better start as Sam Bailey’s corner caused some problems then Paul Jarvis fired over, all inside three minutes. Bailey then put Tom Kilifin through on the right. He slotted the ball past Brad Caswell only to see it roll wide of the far post under the watchful eye of Kieran Morris.

In between, Levi Reid set up brother Izak but he couldn’t quite find a way past Lancaster keeper Elliot Wynne.

Robert Thompson-Brown is rapidly earning himself a reputation with his deadly free kicks and he was at it again on 31 mins when he put Rangers ahead via the underside of the bar.

Lancaster’s best chance of a first half equaliser fell to Kilifin who got goal side of Dan Vann but hit a tame shot at Caswell.

As with the first half, Lancaster were first out of the blocks in the second and it needed a good block from Kyle Perry to keep out a close range effort from Craig Carney while Kilifin headed wide at the near post.

But Rangers soon settled and enjoyed the better of the play without causing Lancaster too many problems although Joe Thomas almost scored with a spectacular diving header.

But Rangers got more assertive and Wynne had to tip away a dangerous corner from Thompson-Brown. It was from the following flag kick that Stafford made it 2-0 on 62 mins, Kieran Morris heading in from Thompson-Brown’s centre.

Perry could have made it three but it was a double substitution for Lancaster that proved to be pivotal. Charlie Bailey and Joshua Gregory were heavily involved as the visitors sought a route back.

The latter volleyed wide then Caswell saved well from Carney, going low to his left to turn the ball for a corner.

Both Gregory and Bailey missed good chances before the latter scored what appeared to be little more than a consolation two minutes into added time, driving his shot past Caswell after being given space in the area.

But Lancaster had other ideas and two minutes later they grabbed a dramatic equaliser when Gregory forced the ball home after Steven Williams’ header had bounced down off the bar.

Rangers: 1 Brad Caswell, 2 Dan Vann, 3 Kieren Westwood, 4 Kieran Morris, 5 Jordaan Brown, 6 Josh Craddock, 7 Izak Reid, 8 Levi Reid, 9 Kyle Perry (14 Tyrell Waite 86m), 10 Robert Thompson-Brown, 11 Joe Thomas (17 Osebi Abadaki 81m). Unused subs: 12 Massiah McDonald, 15 Sam Griffiths, 16 Jack Sherratt

Lancaster: 1 Elliot Wynne, 2 Simon Wills, 3 Paul Dugdale, 4 Billy Akrigg, 5 Adam Anson, 6 Steven Williams, 7 Sam Bailey (14 Mamadou Djabi 46m), 8 Craig Carney, 9 Tom Kilifin (15 Joshua Gregory 71m), 10 Ryan Winder (12 Charlie Bailey 71m), 11 Paul Jarvis. Unused subs 16 Richard Mercer, 17 Adam Sumner

Cautions: Dugdale (Lancaster)

Referee: Richard Price

Att: 406

Report by Chris Elsley