Ahead twice, pegged back twice and finishing with Andy Walker making two sensational saves in the closing stages as the Mead earned a point in a hugely enjoyable contest on a freezing cold Thamesmead Monday night.

Maldon are to be credited for playing their part in the game, and it was the visitors who almost struck first as a drive from distance stung Walk’s fingertips early on as the Mead keeper pulled off a super save.

Maldon keeper Phillips then had a rush of blood as Tyrus Gordon-Young chased a ball down the right channel. The keeper came out to the edge of his box and then allowed the Mead striker to sprint past him. Unfortunately for the home side, Gordon-Young ran out of room and hit the side netting from a very acute angle.

Phillips then showed what a good keeper he is though shortly after making a great save from a Max Mitchell free kick, as he went full length to save.

Moments later though the keeper was beaten by Lee Prescott from almost the same position as the midfielder curled the ball over the wall past a statuesque Phillips and into the net.

Phillips was to gain his “revenge” moments later as Jay Porter’s thunderbolt from the edge of the box was somehow tipped over – the strike was magnificent; the save was sensational!

The visitors had had plenty of possession but apart from their early chance hadn’t really threatened until full back Roast connected with a great volley on the angle from a corner to draw the visitors level before half time.

They could even have been in front as in stoppage time Mills raced clear and as Walker advanced, the striker tried to lift the ball over the keeper but only succeeded in lobbing the ball into his arms.

The second half began with the Mead in the ascendency and Paul Vines shot straight at the keeper after Gordon-Young laid off a Porter cross, before the Mead’s top scorer was denied by another fine Phillips save as he cut in after being played through down the left.

The home side duly re-established the lead just past the hour as Mitchell’s corner was bundled home by Jack Barry – Barry’s third goal in six days.

Sadly for the Mead skipper his night was to take a severe downward dip just five minutes later as he was shown a straight red card for bringing down Mills just inside the box.

From the naked eye, opinion was split as to whether Barry had in fact got the ball, but when the incident was reviewed in replay, the referee was correct. McQueen duly drove home the spot kick.

The ten men could have retaken the lead for the third time on 82 minutes but after Marc Gorbell’s header from a corner fell to Theo Fairweather-Johnson whose instant shot on the turn flew over the bar.

The visitors will think that they should have won the game in the closing stages as Walker made not one but two stunning saves – the first had Newson shaking his head as the Mead stopper tipped his shot over, whilst in stoppage time, Walker had substitute Nwachaky holding his head by tipping his shot round the post.

Was this a point won for the home side or two lost? In the final analysis, you have to say the former, but boss Terry Spillane will know that the dropped points means that getting three against Play Off rivals Cheshunt in the Mead’s next game now becomes even more important.

THAMESMEAD – Walker, Hallam, Porter, Mitchell (Spillane), Barry, Gorbell, Prescott, Vines (Butler), Gordon-Young, Fairweather-Johnson, Carnegie

Subs – Duncan, Toms, Glasgow

Pictures supplied by Richard Brooks Photography.