The race for the SCEFL Premier Play Off places took another twist on Wednesday night as Snodland Town and Punjab United met at the GI Landscapes Stadium. 

And after a fierce, frantic ninety minutes, neither side emerged with the points they needed to put pressure on Erith Town and those above them in the hunt for Play Off places. 

In the end it was about two sides cancelling each other out with both defences on top and chances few and far between.

The visitors did go the closest with one amazing shot from Courtney Barringto that hit the inside of both posts before being cleared whilst home sub-Cameron Brodie almost scored with his first touch. 

But overall, there was a surreal atmosphere about the whole game which was not helped by referee Agboola who with both teams’ line ups and ready for the kick off at 7.45, waited until the clock hit the appointed time to start the contest despite no one being able to spot the TV producer giving the official any signals! 

The home side had the first opportunity as Taylor Fisher headed on a huge clearance from keeper Scott Andrews, and the ball was flicked on by Francis Babalola for Jack Nelson who shot straight at keeper Owen Bushell. 

Manny Osei-Owusu volleyed Punjab’s first chance wide after a cross dropped to the winger before Fisher curled a free kick just too high – hitting the post supporting the net behind the goal. 

Then on the stroke of half-time, Barrington did really well on the edge of the box and his low shot beat Andrews only to bounce off the inside of the left post before rolling along the line hitting the inside of the right post before being hacked to safety. 

The second half became a real battle in the trenches with tackles flying in from both sides as the enormity of three points on hand seemed to finally register and referee Agboola became a busy man.  

Chances were still at a premium and the introduction of Brodie almost broke the deadlock as the sub managed to poke an effort goalwards which nearly deceived Bushell – the keeper reacting well to stick out a foot – and from the rebound Nate Olawole hit the keeper’s midriff. 

Punjab pushed and probed without really forcing Andrews into a save and as time ticked by, tempers frayed a touch too much and Lea Dawson was sent to the Sin Bin for the closing stages.

The home side could have won it late on when another Fisher free-kick went close – this time skimming the roof of the net – but it would have been tough on either side to lose such a competitive battle.  

An enthralling Wednesday night that adds another twist to an enthralling race and really does not help either side’s quest… 

SNODLAND TOWN – Andrews, Fisher, Bissett, Bath, Monger, Sawyer, Muggeridge, Ibrahim (Brodie), Nelson (Olawole), Babalola, Odeniran 

Subs – Kuchkov, Wells, Eldridge 

PUNJAB UNITED – Owen Bushell, Wayne Bushell, Dythe, Barry, Ratcliff, Hopkins, Majekodunyi (Bourouf), Dawson, Barrington (Spencer), Nyadzayo (Vines), Osei-Owusu (Campbell) 

Sub – Scudder 

REFEREE – Mr Agboola