Purfleet 2

Harrow Borough 2

Boro returned with a point from Essex on Monday night, after looking set for three when they led 2-0 after 29 minutes.

Though the pitch surface was in good condition, a biting gale blew from one end to the other throughout the match. It was Boro who had the wind's assistance in the first half, and it must have encouraged Ian Rutherford in the fifth minute.

Receiving a pass from Steve Butler, he tried a shot from 25 yards and it fairly flew into the top corner of the net.

Faced with this double disadvantage, the hosts had a good go at getting on terms, with Ryan shooting into the sidenetting and keeper David Hook forced to make good saves from Perkins and Berry.

However, the action was mainly aimed at the home team's goal, with Sean James to the fore with piercing runs.

The visitors went two up, with a picture goal after 29 minutes. Kenny Webster's free-kick was headed down by Pat Gavin, and Butler slid in to divert the ball into the net from ten yards.

From a Gary Issott throw Darren Coleman nearly added to Boro's lead with a 20-yard shot.

Harrow were in control, but needed a third goal to seal their advantage at the end of the first half. It never arrived, though in the first minute of the second half Rutherford chipped just over from 30 yards.

The tide began to turn in the 52nd minute, when Hook came out to block Gentle's shot. But the home striker had better luck a minute later when he netted in a goalmouth scramble, after Hook had done well to keep out Southoh's shot.

The elements were playing havoc, freezing the players , then blowing their passes off course. It was a wonder that as much constructive football was played.

Webster, Mark Xavier, James, Alan Paris and Chris Metcalfe all fired wide for Boro, while Hook did well to catch Gentle's chip.

The simple fact that they managed to get a shot on target meant that Purfleet proved worthy of a draw. With nine minutes remaining, Ryan's cross from the left wing to the far post reached McFarlane, who dived to head home.

Stung into action, Boro did have a chance to settle matters, but with five minutes remaining, Rutherford, receiving from Gavin, hit over a cross that was headed over from close range by Coleman.

Having looked creative throughout, Boro will look forward to facing strugglers Dulwich on Saturday at Earlsmead -- and the opportunity to put their chances away.

HARROW BOROUGH: Hook, Paris, James, Issott, Webster, Coleman, Rutherford (Bates), Metcalfe, Gavin, Xavier, Butler. Subs: Marshall, Denny.

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