In a game that struggled to get going AFC Telford were fortunate to return to Shropshire with a share of the spoils courtesy of the officials deeming what seemed like goalkeeper Jon Worsnop pulling out of a challenge as a foul in the area.
Andre Brown sent Worsnop the wrong way from the spot on 76 minutes to give the visitors an undeserved lead after referee Paul Brown had consulted long and hard with his assistant who had flagged up the supposed misdemeanor.
Justice was however served with virtually the last kick of the game when substitute Curtis Morrison’s shot across the six-yard box from an acute angle was deflected in to the net through a forest of legs to give the Lions a deserved share of the points with their first goal of the season.
Prior to this the first half had been a turgid affair with neither side able to impose themselves on the game.
Kaine Felix on his home league debut proving to be the home side’s most potent threat with his three crosses from the right flank providing the openings that should have unlocked the visitors defence, the closest being Thompson should have done better with a header that he put wide of the mark.
The home side suffered a blow on the stroke of halftime when Kingsley James had to leave the field with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Jack Dyche.
The second half proved to be more of a contest as Kaine’s cross just evaded Thompson and Rowan Liburd was unable to get a decisive touch as the ball bobbled around the six-yard box.
Worsnop, who had been preferred to Joe Green, pulled off a magnificent stop from Daniel Udoh before Morrison and Paul Clayton replaced Alex Purver and Thompson.
Then came the debatable penalty award and Morrison’s last gasp equalizer that sets up the Lions for a crack at pre-season favourites Stockport County at Edgeley Park on Tuesday evening.
Team:
1 Worsnop
2 Moyo
3 Heaton
4 James (Dyche 42)
5 Garner
6 Halls
7 Purver (Morrison 74 )
8 Hatfield
9 Liburd
10 Thompson (Clayton 81)
11 Felix
12 Dyche
14 Thornton
15 Morrison 90
16 Odejayi
17 Clayton
