A Barry Ferdinand goal was not enough to earn Tooting and Mitcham all three points at Northwood on Saturday.

But it did bring their recent run of defeats to an eagerly awaited halt.

General manager John Langford blooded 17-year-old youth team midfielders John Maloney and Kassim Evans in an entertaining match with goalmouth action at both ends.

Ferdinand slotted home the spot kick after skipper Jimmy Bolton was brought down in the box midway through the first half.

Northwood earned the draw with ten minutes to go but Langford was not too disappointed.

He told the Guardian: "Both teams played entertaining football. In the end I think it was a worthy result."

n Tooting entertain top of the table Braintree on Saturday and second-placed Canvey Island on Tuesday evening.

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