Sub Clare snatches dramatic late point for Newbury

ROB Clare came off the bench to give Newbury a dramatic injury time leveller as they fought back from 2 – 0 down against Wootton Bassett on Boxing Day.
Newbury went into the game missing defender Carl Jenner through suspension and also had Sam Connors, Ben Matthews and David Livings sidelined through injury.
The home side started brightly and could have taken the lead on three minutes when Danny Langford’s ball released Brad Shaw and although the striker rounded the keeper, he delayed and saw his effort cleared off the line.
Newbury went close again from the resulting corner when Steve Foster saw his free header well saved.
The visitors started to settle and on 18 minutes they were rewarded when a slick one touch passing move freed Ryan Stanners and the striker rounded Clough and rolled the ball into an empty net.
They should have doubled their lead on half hour when Clough came racing from his goal and brought down a Wootton player.
However, Clough made amends by diving full length to his right to keep out the resulting spot kick.
Bassett did eventually extend their advantage when poor marking left Stanners in space and the striker punished Newbury with a smart finish.In an attempt to overcome a two goal deficit, Newbury manager Keith Moss made a tactical change replacing full back Young with holding midfielder Clare & switching to 3-5-2.
This allowed Newbury to control the closing stages of the game and on 71 minutes Gary Dredge gave Newbury a lifeline when a cross from Clare fell to the winger and while his first effort was well blocked, the rebound fell straight to the winger who fired home from close range.The home side kept pushing with Langford going close with a volley and Foster heading over when unmarked from a Callum Willmoth corner.
They were eventually rewarded for their persistence in the second minute of injury time when a corner from the left found Clare unmarked and he finished well from 8 yards to give Newbury a point.