Cromer Town 2 Acle Utd 2

Cromer Town twice let a lead slip as they returned to action against the league leaders.

The Crabs made several changes to the side that lost 3-2 to Loddon last time out. Nathan Pauling was in goal in place of the unavailable Andy Jackson, Liam Landamore returned from injury in place of the suspended Karl Horton while new signing Claudio Langlois started up front, replacing the unavailable Antoni Fawkes. Liam Davies, Steve Jordan, Ben Furlong and Dale Wilton also returned.

The opening half hour was all Cromer but despite all the possession they were unable to cause any problems for Scott Foreman in the Acle goal.

The first effort on target went the way of Acle. A corner was only half cleared and went to Luke Goreham on the edge of the box who fired his first time shot straight at Pauling.

In the 41st minute Cromer took the lead. Furlong played a lofted through ball over the top into the run of Langlois. He then turned inside his marker before firing into the back of the net between Foreman and his near post.

Early in the second half Cromer hit the bar when Furlong's inswinging corner came back off the woodwork.

On 55 minutes the visitors were given the chance to equalise when they were awarded a penalty for a foul against Jordan by Adam Hipperson, although the Acle winger seemed to be on his way to the ground before any challenge was made. The Acle dangerman picked himself up and made the most of the opportunity to blast into the roof of the net.

Acle were a bit more adventurous in the second half and the game became a bit more open. Sam Applegate played the ball into the feet of Langlois who then turned smartly but he put his shot wide.

Then at the other end Acle had a great chance to take the lead. Davies played a short back pass and it was picked up by Forder who was forced wide by Pauling, but he squared the ball to Goreham who with Pauling out of his goal just had to beat the defender on the line but his tame strike was cleared away.

In the 69th minute the Crabs regained the advantage. Shaun Cameron came forward from defence into the Acle half and picked out Wilton with a superb diagonal pass. He outmuscled Daniel Foreman to get goal side and controlled brilliantly before firing home from close range.

Shortly after the hosts had a penalty claim of their own when Langlois appeared to be fouled but no spot-kick was given.

With 10 minutes remaining the league leaders drew level for a second time when an unmarked James Foreman rose highest at the near post to head home from an excellent driven corner.

Although slightly disappointed with only taking a point it was certainly Cromer's best display of the season and they can take a lot of confidence from the game. With more performances like this the victories will surely begin to flow, hopefully starting on Saturday when the Crabs travel to Wymondham Town.

Suffield Park Post Office and Londis Stores were the sponsors of the match.

Cromer: Pauling, Cameron, Applegate, Davies, Jordan, Landamore, Wilton, Furlong, Matthews, Langlois, Eves (Freemantle). Subs Not Used: Groves, Davison.