RUGBY Town recovered from two goals down to claim a draw after a brace from Edwin Ahenkorah’s earned them a point in a 2-2 draw with Peterborough Northern Star.
The new signing announced himself to the Butlin Road faithful when notching twice in the final 12 minutes to rescue a draw, after a poor first-half cost Valley and see’s them 11 points adrift of the leaders Daventry Town.
Also making a starting bow was returning keeper Louis Connor in goal, as he made a fourth debut for Rugby, whilst Fazel Koriya and Simeon Tulloch returned to the starting line-up in place of Justin Marsden and Josh Steele.
Peterborough started strongly and saw a Sam Wilson curler head wide of the post, before Richard Blythe’s gasping run into the penalty area failed to result with an effort to test the keeper.
The lethargic start made by the hosts was capitalised on by Northern Star, as a free-kick was whipped into Harry Fitzjohn’s vicinity, rising highest to wrap his header into the far corner past debutant Louis Connor in Rugby’s goal.
It could have been two when Stars played the ball into Jake Sansby – who cracked a shot that was kept out by the legs of debutant Connor.
An otherwise forgetful half was made even worse after the break when Jack Bloodworth – who assisted the opener – slammed a 25-yard free-kick into the top-left corner of the net across the outstretched arm of Connor to double Peterborough’s lead.
A third was on the cards for Peterborough when Wilson attempted an acrobatic effort that flew inches wide of the target.
Rugby did give themselves some reprieve when pulling a goal back in the 78th minute. Lewis Rankin’s corner caused havoc in the six-yard box, and after a scramble, Ahenkorah was deemed to have forced the ball over the line, much to manager Carl Adams’ relief.
And in the second minute of stoppage time, an equaliser was found after good work down the left flank saw Dominic Perkins float a cross into Fazel Koriya’s path, he chested the ball mid-flight into Ahenkorah to fly a half-volley into the bottom corner, earning Rugby a priceless point.
With a game in hand on the league leaders, Rugby next welcome 19th placed Kirby Muxloe for a third straight home league game at Butlin Road on Saturday (3pm).
The fixture will see the club open the gates to offer free admission, given the club’s current strong standing in the United Counties League Premier Division and with the visit of Kirby Muxloe being Town’s third home fixture in a row.
Mindful of the recent outlay by Rugby fans with five home fixtures out of six played in recent weeks, Carl Adams’ charges welcome fans to get behind the team with the ‘Free Entry Initiative’.
