Despite a much-improved performance, Bearsted continued their poor run of form as they lost at home to an impressive Punjab United side.

The game was very quiet to begin with but as the game went on it got a bit tetchy with a lot of bookings and three red cards.

The game started with Punjab taking control of the game and in the 13^th minute they took the lead when a Chris Boland free kick from the right found Jack Barry six yards out on his own, he side footed home.

Two minutes later it was nearly two when a low cross to the near post saw Wayne Bushell’s flicked shot from five yards superbly saved by Frankie Leonard.

Then in the 19^th minute a contentious decision went Punjab’s way when a long ball forward saw Robbie Roberts chase it down and just as he was about to get to it Owen Bushell came flying out, it appeared like he fouled Roberts, but a goal kick was given.

Two minutes later Roberts nearly equalised when he controlled a cross-field ball cut inside and from 20 yards saw Owen Bushell palm it away.

In the 32^nd minute Punjab should have doubled their lead when a free kick to the back post found Barry six yards out on his own but he headed across goal when it seemed easier to score.

A minute later Cruis Nyadrayo found himself in on goal, but he shot high and wide. Bearsted against the run of play got the equaliser when in the 38^th minute a ball out to Jesse Darko who flicked it on for Roberts who raced towards goal but just before the penalty area he was tripped, a free kick awarded, up stepped Adam Turton and he curled it into the bottom right-hand corner.

Half time arrived and Kevin Stevens would be relieved that they had got back into the game.

In the 51^st minute Punjab retook the lead when Wayne Bushell latched onto a through ball and went into the area and shot past Leonard.

Two minutes later they should have increased their lead when Nyadrayo was clean through and bamboozled James Hugley on the way to going into the area but from ten yards his shot was saved by Leonard’s legs.

The game could have changed in the 68^th minute when Sam Stace was fouled on the edge of the area by Stephen Ratcliffe who was then carded for the second time; the resulting free kick was wasted.

In the 70^th minute Turton’s free kick from 25 yards out was parried away by Owen Bushell but straight to Darko but his shot went wide.

Bearsted were now knocking on the door and looking to get the equaliser, but Punjab stood up to this. In the 79^th minute a ball into the area found Dan Melvin who headed across goal for Billy Lewin, but he headed straight at Owen Bushell.

Another chance came in the 83^rd minute when a corner into the centre found Lewin on his own but he headed wide. The game was getting tetchy as Punjab tried to slow the game down while Bearsted were trying to speed things up.

In the 89th minute tempers rose and Billy Lewin was sent off, the drama did not finish there as just after the final whistle Owen Bushell got a red card when players from both sides confronted each other.

        Bearsted:

1.  F.Leonard    2. D.Agrudume (85)  3. J.Nurden  4. A.Turton  5. J.Hugley (75)   6. D.Melvin

7.    R.Roberts  8. B.Lewin    9. J.Darko  10. S.Stace (75)  11. E.Hassan (85)

Subs Used:  12. S.Flisher (75)  17. C.French (75)  14. R.Mallett (85)  16. M.Hagen (85)

Subs Not Used:  15. W.Johnson-Cole

Bookings: 8.B.Lewins (61 & 89)  17. C.French (89)  K.Stevens (Manager 67)

       Punjab United:

1.    O.Bushell  2. C.Roland  3. K.Lewin-Thomas  4. J.Barry  5. S.Ratcliffe  6. J.Campbell

12.    A.Moynes  8. W.Bushell 9. R.Deakin  10. C.Nyadrayo  11. H.Skudder

Subs Used: None

Subs Not Used: 7. R.Hayes  14. J.Hussain  15. T.Ibrahim  16. M.Youngah   17.A.Probets

Bookings: 3. K.Lewin-Thomas (38)  2. C.Roland (45)  5. S.Ratcliffe (64, 68)  9. R.Deakin (61)  10. C.Nyadrayo (90+4)

Sent Off:  1. O.Bushell (After Game Finished )

Referee: Mr R.Jeffrey

Assistants: Mt T.Domineux & Mr S.Roots

Att: 101