Two teams in need of points at the bottom end of the Isthmian League Division One South East table battled out an incident packed draw in torrential rain at Eden Park Avenue on Tuesday night. 

Beckenham made a bright start to the game, but Erith had the first chance when Ollie Milton fired over. George Porter just failed to connect to a Tyler Anderson cross for Becks soon after and there were further chances at each end with Dami Olusei having a shot saved for The Dockers and Joe Chalker denied by Harrison Firth at the other end.

The opening goal came on the half hour when a corner from the right was bundled home by Jack Holland in a crowded six yard box to put Beckenham in front.

Then in first half injury time Erith were reduced to ten men when Tom O’Connor was sent off for an off the ball incident involving Harry Gamble. 

The second half started with Porter once again just failing to connect to a cross from Freddie Nyhus. Ten man Erith then drew level in 53 minutes when a deep free kick from Olusei was kept in play at the far post by Destiny Oladipo and Dexter Peter swept the ball home from close range for 1-1.

While The Dockers were celebrating, Beckenham keeper James Batt tried to retrieve the ball from them and after a small disagreement the Becks stopper was red carded by Referee Toby Carlisle.

With both teams now down to ten men and with the home side without a sub keeper on the bench, centre back William Greiveson went in goal.

From there the game was wide open with extra space on a very wet surface and played in a fractious atmosphere. Holland headed against the bar from a Chalker free kick and Chalker then had a shot save by Firth.

Chances came at both ends, Albie O’Mara-Knapp hit the outside of the post, Greiveson making a save from Ethan Kevill. After a delay for an injury to Becks Abbas Agoro the home side pressed, Nyhusand Makhaya James going close, before Nyhus then had a shot deflected wide by Anthony Musoke.

After a series of corners for Beckenham were kept out by Erith, the visitors had the last chance of the game when Kevill shot from range, but Greiveson saved with his feet and the scores remained level.

One final piece of drama saw James receive swift treatment from both physios and fortunately he was able to finish the game. 

Following the draw Beckenham remain twenty first in the table, while Erith Town move up one place to seventeenth.     

Beckenham: Batt, Wanogho, James, Hever, Holland, Grieveson, Chalker, Gamble (Agoro 54, Douglas 83), Porter, Nyhus, Anderson (Gordon 71).

Subs Not Used: Dudley, Marshall. 

Erith: Firth, Dythe, Jayaguru, Peter, Kevill, Milton (O’Mara-Knapp 65), Jeffery (Oluwasemo 81), Oladipo, Olusei, O’Connor, Musoke.

Subs Not Used: Valler, McGeehan, Maxime-Samuels.      

HT 1-0 FT 1-1 

Goals: BTFC – Holland 30mins. ETFC Peter 52 mins 

Att: 175 

Referee: Mr Toby Carlisle