Fatadjo the last-gasp hero as 10-man Kettering Town secure brilliant win at Bury Town

Clearly the Poppies enjoying playing Tuesday night football under the lights, producing their fourth entertaining midweek performance in a row – following on from last week’s 3-2 comeback win over Rushall Olympic at Latimer Park.

This victory will be even sweeter as the winning goal was scored whilst Kettering were down to 10 men and demonstrated that the squad were determined to bounce back after a below par 4-1 defeat at Stourbridge on Saturday.

Starting with three changes from Saturday’s defeat, the Poppies took an early lead when the first corner of the game sent in by Ryan Haynes was powerfully headed home by Harvey Peters at the far post.

Bury almost hit back on nine minutes when Seth Chambers’ sent a fierce shot towards goal, but Paul White was on hand to brilliantly turn the ball away that was for all money looking likely to beat him at this near post.

The hosts continued to push and Kettering had to weather a long period without possession and were eventually rewarded for their patience by doubling their lead on 26 minutes.

A long ball up field gave Eddie Panter just enough space to take the ball over his shoulder and get beyond two blue shirts.

He took the ball to the edge of the six yard box before sending it into the net beyond the keeper Charlie Beckwith who was by now in no man’s land.

Bury hit back quickly through the dangerous Chambers who took advantage of the ball bouncing around in the area before slamming the ball home.

And before fans could grab their half time cuppa the scores were level.

Chambers again the threat by galloping towards the Kettering goal before being upended inside the penalty box. He dusted himself off to calmly slot home the spot kick.

Callum Page and Panter traded efforts in the second half but it was the hosts who once again enjoyed more of the ball, forcing Kettering into another rearguard performance.

George Quantrell bought out another reaction save from Paul White on 70 minutes and Alfie Wellens hit the woodwork a minute later.

Things got even tougher on 78 minutes when Will van Lier was shown a straight red card for a two-footed challenge and Bury were confident of grabbing the winner with 12 minutes remaining.

But it was Kettering who would leave Suffolk with the points.

A break forward on 88 minutes and a cross from the left found the pacey Ismael Fatadjo inside the box to pump the ball beyond a diving Beckwith.

The win sends Kettering to fourth in the table and will restore a lot of confidence going in to Saturday’s home match against Redditch United (ko 3pm).