HIGHMOOR Ibis were denied victory over Ascot United by a very late equaliser at the Rivermoor ground on Tuesday, writes Dave Wright.

Following goals from Mitch Parker and Harry Grant, they were 2-1 up going into stoppage time, but Jack Smillie then brought the scores level from a free-kick.

They got off to a good start and took a ninth-minute lead through a volley from Grant that left keeper Carl Dennison rooted to the spot.

Jamie Connor, their new signing from Binfield, went close to doubling the lead with a header.

Ascot finished the half strongly without being able to break down a solid home defence.

Keeper Chris Hitt, proving a good deputy for the injured Sean Saxty, was kept busy after half-time, although on one occasion had to rely on his crossbar to keep United at bay.

However, the Yellamen finally found the net after 70 minutes when Luke Wilson crossed for Jamie Goodey to volley home.

But it took only five minutes for Highmoor to regain the lead with Grant scoring from long range.

Grant was joined in the team by his teenage brother Alfie, a product of the Oxford United Academy.

Ibis had a let-off when Goodey’s shot cannoned back off an upright, but their luck ran out two minutes into added time when Smillie curled his free-kick into the top left-hand corner.

Danny Lingwood was shown the yellow card and, having been cautioned earlier, he was sent off.

“A draw was just about fair, but I was still disappointed not to have won the game,” said manager Marcus Richardson.

“The boys did well considering I am missing virtually a whole team mainly due to injuries and suspensions.”

Highmoor lost 4-2 at home to Longlevens on Saturday, with Parker getting both their goals.

Woodley United

WOODLEY United’s Berks & Bucks Intermediate Cup tie with Finchampstead, called off last weekend because of a waterlogged pitch at Finchampstead, will be played this Saturday at Rivermoor.

The winners will be away to Beaconsfield in the fourth round.