Nothing can beat the exhilaration of a last gasp winner – particularly when it comes at the home of a fellow promotion contender, and ends a run of three consecutive defeats.
Add into the mix a penalty save five minutes earlier and it’s little wonder the post match journey home from West Sussex felt so sweet.
Valley were dealt a pre-match blow when Nathan Green failed a fitness test on his rib injury – skipper Nat Blanks returning to the starting line-up for only the second time in 12 matches.
Marcel Barrington gave The Millers the lead after half an hour – beating onrushing Heath keeper Billy Collings to a long ball forward from Anthony Edgar and heading into the net.
Things got even better for the visitors just five minutes later after Denzel Gayle – on for groin injury victim Hassan Ibrahiym – was clattered 25 yards from goal. Edgar’s right foot ensured retribution by curling the resultant free kick handsomely beyond Collings into the top of the net.
Confidence lifted from the comfort of a two goal cushion, Valley were well worth their lead and looking to add to it when Oliver Allen lifted Heath spirits just before the break – controlling Hamish Morrison’s cross from the right before shooting low past Chris Lewington from 15 yards.
Buoyed by this, Heath went on the offensive at the start of the second half and equalised shortly after the restart.
The Valley defence failed to clear a corner from the right before left back Tom Cadman squeezed the ball home from close range.
A well contested encounter that wasn’t without the odd “savoury” moment was then largely dominated by The Blues – Alahady Jalloh firing narrowly over from Byron Napper’s cross before Jordy Ndozid shot narrowly wide after excellent work from Jalloh – while Valley weren’t without chances of their own as Denzel Gayle twice went close.
The last ten minutes will however live long in the memory of those in attendance.
After Denzel Gayle’s powerful shot was pushed wide by Collings, Edgar’s pin point corner from the left landed perfectly for Connor Dymond to fire low from the edge of the 18 yard box – the home keeper’s low save concluding a wonderful piece of football.
Edgar’s resultant flag kick was met this time by Cem Tumkaya at the far post – Collings this time saving low down by his upright.
In a matter of no time at all, it was Heath on the attack as a long ball over the top caused consternation in the Valley defence. Paul Semakula’s back pass fell short, causing Lewington to bring down an oncoming Blues striker to concede a penalty.
The former Dagenham and Redbridge custodian however redeemed himself, diving low to his right to palm away Reece Deakin’s spot kick.
Just when it seemed that the match was destined to end in a result that neither side particularly wanted, Francis Babalola’s cross found Dymond at the far post. Collings again denied the Valley full back low down before the ball fell to Edgar whose accurate cross found Warren in the six yard box to net the winner.
PHEW !!!
MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – ANTHONY EDGAR – Two assists and a wonder strike – elements of a pretty decent afternoon for the Valley midfielder
MATCH RATING: – ****
THE BLUES : Collings, Morrison, Cadman, Napper, Holden, Christie, Jalloh (Dacruz 86), Ndozid, Deakin (Dos Santos 90), Allen, Cravid
Not Used : Gilbert, Clarke, Rowe
Cautions : Cravid, Napper
MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond, Semakula, Blanks ©, Tumkaya, Barrington (Sterling-Parker 88), Adeyemo (Babalola 81), Warren, Edgar, Ibrahiym (D.Gayle 18), I.Gayle
Not Used : Green
Cautions : Tumkaya, Semakula, Edgar, Lewington
Referee – Howard Collins
Assistants – Steven Goldup and Nik Garside
Pic – Who doesn’t love a 90th minute winner ???
Matt Warren leads the celebrations after his last gasp winner for Valley
Photo and Video highlights by Michael Brown – @BSportsphotos
Match highlights can be found at :-
Attendance: 367