It was a game that had it all and left Thamesmead Town boss Keith McMahon bewildered and speechless as his side threw away a three goal lead with virtually the last kick of a titanic struggle.

On a pitch that belied the punishment that the weather has subjected it too over the past couple of weeks, McMahon looked on in pride as his side ripped up the form book to storm into a three goal lead before looking on in disbelief Billericay snatched a point as Ricky Sappleton gloriously levelled with the last kick of the game to deny the Mead the three points in their fight to get out of the Division’s bottom four.

The first half played in ever worsening conditions was a joy to behold for the home sides loyal fans as Thamesmead scored three times at home for the first time this season. After surviving early Billericay pressure, Rashid Kamara came agonisingly close to giving the home side the lead as visiting keeper Billy Lumley pulled off a fine save to tip Kamara’s drive round the post.

The home did though take the lead on 24 minutes when Shamir Mullings battled through into the box, prodded the ball past the keeper’s advance before running on to drill the ball high into the net.

The second arrived 2 minutes later and made all the hard work that the groundstaff had put into the pitch all worth while as Kamara for the second game in succession at Sporting Club Thamesmead scored and absolute cracket straight out of the top draw. Picking the ball up just inside the Billericay half, Kamara beat two challenges before sending an exocet of shot arrowing above the despairing Lumley and dipped perfectly into the top right corner of the net.

Incredibly it got better still for the home side as on 31 minutes Baff Addae headed home a Sean Roberts free kick – which had looped high into the air off of the wall – to send the home side into dream land.

Now all Thamesmead had to do was reach half time with the lead intact – sadly as is the story of their season, the Mead couldn’t! Three minutes from the break, a right wing corner was met by defender Richard Halle who’s header powered beyond a statuesque Rob Budd in the Thamesmead goal and thundered into the top corner of the net.

With the boost of only being two behind, the visitors came out after the break with all guns blazing and took the game to their hosts Sappleton should have perhaps done better when Josk Ekim put him through, the striker clipped the ball over the advancing Budd but sent the ball into the Car Park.

Billericay plugged and plugged away and substitute Isaac Layne crashed a shot onto the face of the Thamesmead cross bar. The visitors persistence finally paid off 12 minutes from time as when a corner came back of the post and Sappleton bundled the ball over the line to set up a grand stand finish.

Try as they might, Billericay could not get the ball into the net again as the home defence literally put everything in the way of the ball until heart breakingly in the fourth minute of stoppage time, they allowed Sappleton too much room in the box and he coolly curled the ball round Budd into the corner of the net to spark wild celebration amongst the visiting supporters, leaving the Thamesmead players and fans alike looking skywards in disbelief…

There was just enough time for the Mead to restart before referee Kane – who incidentally handled the game and the conditions as well as the players – blew the full time whistle.

Honours even, and although the home side had lost a three goal lead, it was probably over the balance of play on the 90 minutes a right result on a day it was proved that a grass pitch could be played on after its rained!

THAMESMEAD TOWN – Rob Budd, Richard Butler, Danny Moore, Jordan Hibbert, Lewis Tozer (Simon Glover HT), Junior Baker, Sean Roberts, Baff Addae (Rob Carter 79), Shamir Mullings (Mo Conteh 72), Rashid Kamara, Theo Fairweather Johnson

Subs not used – Lanre Azeez, Ashley Probets

BILLERICAY TOWN – Billy Lumley, Jeffrey Imudia, George Bevan, Callum Dunne (James Robinson 85), Richard Halle, Paul Rodgers, Joe Benjamin (Glenn Poole 60), Dave Collis, Ricky Sappleton, Evan Kouassi (Isaac Layne HT), Josh Ekim

Referee – Mr G Kane
Assistants – Mr W James and Mr B Small