The battle for the Play Off places in the SCEFL Premier took another twist on Tuesday night as Punjab United left it late to edge a five-goal thriller against VCD Athletic.
Substitute Harvey Scudder was the Punjab hero as he brilliantly controlled a cross ball from Wayne Bushell before sliding the ball beyond keeper Joseph Hyde into the bottom corner of the net.
It was tough on the Vickers who has largely bossed the second period after going in 2-1 down at the break.
Sadik Balarabe gave the visitors a flying start only for Arun Suman and a Cruis Nyadzayo penalty to give the home side the lead but seconds into the second half Richard Jimoh levelled and for lengthy periods the Vickers controlled the second half without finding a way past home keeper Owen Bushell.
The visitors were in front with the first attack of the game as Balarabe side footed home a ball in from the left.
Punjab were not behind for long as a goal straight off the training ground saw them level. AJ Dythe’s corner was dummied by Stephen Ratcliff and Suman swept the ball into the bottom corner.
Suman was proving a problem for the Vickers down the left and he was fouled by Ben Fitchett for the penalty that saw Nyadzayo put the home side ahead for the first time as he sent Hyde the wrong way from twelve yards.
The visitors tried to get level by the break but could not get the ball past the Punjab keeper. Bushell pulled off a couple of fine saves to deny Jimoh and from the second – a free kick – Fitchett had an effort cleared off the line.
On the stroke of the break, a Zak Byrne cross deceived everyone and cannoned to safety off the bar.
The second half had barely begun when the visitors got their equaliser as Bushell allowed Jimoh’s low drive to squeeze into the bottom corner of the net.
It was the platform the Vickers had been looking for but despite the tireless running and working of Charlie Heatley in particular, they could not force a way through.
Their struggles were highlighted on one occasion when a long ball down the slope saw Balarabe outpace the defence only to be denied outside the box by a flying Bushell.
The keeper’s headed clearance only fell to Heatley, but his effort was also blocked by the keeper.
Heatley then went even closer as he smashed Balarabe’s pull back against the angle of post and bar leaving the keeper motionless.
It appeared that there was only going to be one winner but then Stephen Bushell’s brilliant, angled ball found Scudder and he won the game for Punjab.
Three points that keeps the Gravesend side in the heart of the Play Off chase as they move to within five points of the top five with two games still in hand.
PUNJAB UNITED – Owen Bushell, Campbell, Dythe, Barry, Ratcliff, Hopkins, Singh, Piorkowski (Bourouf), Wayne Bushell, Nyadzayo (Vines), Suman (Scudder)
Sub – Probets
VCD ATHLETIC – Hyde, Lawrence, Leach, Byron, Fitchett, Sargent, Balarabe (Shoderu), Bird (Gyeaeour), Heatley, Gboda, Jimoh (Dembele)
Sub – Cousins