Dominic Samuel’s penalty in the final quarter-hour of this one looked like sending the Fleet on their way to a comeback victory after Bath had opened the scoring in the early minutes but an equaliser in the seventh minutes of five added on was to deny the visitors maximum points.

Fleet started well but Bath got the early break when they found themselves a goal up with just three minutes on the clock. Matt Bowman steadied himself for a shot on goal but a deflection along the way made it difficult for Matt Hall as the ball changed direction to find the corner.

The Fleet slowly settled into the match and continued to be patient in looking for an opening which arrived on 27 minutes. Like Saturday’s opener, it was that patient build-up play that paid off. Finlay barnes had two efforts that Joe Raynes had to clear off the goalline but the second went only as far as Tom Dallison who struck the ball home. 

Toby Edser and Ben Chapman continued to be a threat linking up to test Charlie Binns in goal and Edser saw his effort parried away by the Romans keeper.

Another chance for the Fleet came in the closing stages of the half when the dangerous duo of Chapman and Edser combined once again and it was Edser’s low attempt that clipped the side netting.

The second half was far livelier as far as the Fleet were concerned with Dominic Samuel posing a threat while Chapman and Gene Kennedy had efforts cleared from set pieces.

The pressure continued from the Fleet and they were rewarded on 77 minutes. Pouring forward from a counterattack, Barnes and Josh Coley exchanged quick passes. Coley back-heeled it into Barnes’ path who went over Bowman’s leg inside the box. Samuel stepped up and made no mistake with his spot kick.

It was an even contest in the midfield with neither side able to get a complete dominance but Fleet might have added a third when Charlie Seaman’s free-kick delivery into the area was met by Barnes at the far post but he couldn’t quite bring it under control.

The fourth official held up five minutes on the board as added time approached but it was in the seventh minute of that, with throw-ins and corner still being awarded, when Bath grabbed the equaliser with the last kick of the game. Raynes’ shot took a slight deflection and from Luke Russe’s resulting corner, Bowman managed to get the final touch at the far post to level things up.

EUFC: Hall, Fielding (Passley 18), Dallison, Olagunju, Hessenthaler, Kennedy (Coley 64), Seaman, Chapman, Edser, Barnes, Samuel.

Subs: Ehmer, Cosgrave, Appiah, Peake, Sandford

BCFC: Binns, Putman, Greenslade (Beardmore 88), Raynes, Parselle, Tillson (Alves 67), Russe, Bowman, Windsor (Batten 67), Ash (Alexander-Walker 9), Wilson (Fisher 73).

Subs: Sullivan, Horsell

Attendance: 745

Photos: ©EUFC/Katie Humphris