Late Andoh goal salvages a point for Poppies in six-goal thriller against Bury Town

Six goal thrillers do little for blood pressure or spread Christmas cheer.

But the first of three home games in a row will at least help bring in much needed revenue for the Poppies and fans cannot say that they were not entertained on Saturday - as well as frustrated!

Bury hit with an early attack as the ball fell to Ryan Jolland who's fizzing shot required a superb save left handed save by Jason Alexander.

The resulting corner saw Levi Andoh's clearance off the line needing a glance from the post to stop his header creeping into his own net.

An horrific mistake from Alexander on 13 minutes, who was made captain for the day in the absence of George Forsyth gave the visitors the lead.

With all the time in the world to clear a simple back pass, he miscued his kick straight at Jamie McGrath who was waiting barely outside the area. He calmly took one touch before slotting the ball to the left of the scrambling goalkeeper and into the net.

Kettering had a chance to level three minutes later when a pinpoint cross from Kai Williams found Eddie Panter at the far post, who had enough time to take a touch but dragged his shot wide due to pressure from Max Maughn.

McGrath should have doubled the lead on 29 minutes when a cross from the right found three blue shirts inside the area, but the inform McGrath was denied by a fine low save from Alexander.

But there was no mistake on 45 minutes from the Bury number eight.

A long throw into the box was not delt with and from 12 yards out, McGrath turned on a sixpence before sending a lobbed shot towards goal that evaded Alexander and came off the inside the of the post and in.

Avian intervention could be the reason for the Poppies first comeback as two pheasants decided to take centre stage during stoppage time to give the fans some much needed entertainment!

Liam McDonald could claim it a masterstroke as a confused Bury were ready to head in with a two goal lead, but six minutes into stoppage time a corner was sent in from the right, receiving a touch from Will Glennon before being fired home from close range at the far post by Preston Bitemo.

Kettering started the second half much the brighter but once again lacked the killer instinct inside the 18 yard box.

New loanee signing from Gateshead Ethan Fitzhugh was introduced on the hour mark and his free kick from 22 yards out beat the wall and needed parrying away to safety from Charlie Beckworth.

Beckworth was then the villain on 72 minutes, bringing Panter down inside the area with the striker seemingly running away from goal near the byline.

Glennon took on the duties from the spot and sent Beckworth the wrong way putting the penalty kick low into the left corner.

But having gotten back in the game Kettering dozily went behind two minutes later.

A cross from the right found captain Taylor Parr in acres of space on the far edge of the area. He was allowed to take the ball right up to the six-yard box before firing low under Alexander from a tight angle.

There was still plenty of drama to unfold as Shakers boss Cole Skuse was shown a red card from comments towards the officials on 84 minutes.

The tide was very much with Kettering in the closing minutes and five minutes into stoppage time, Andoh lept highest to deflect Alfie Lewis' free kick into the net - an audible sigh of relief from the Latimer Park crowd rang round to greet Andoh's third goal in three games.

As entertaining as the 3-3 draw will have been, there is plenty of head scratching for McDonald to do, with the defence as shakey as it has been all season whilst his strikers are still failing to capitalise on the chances that came to them.

A quick turnaround won't help injury matters either. Lewis Coyle limped off in the first half whilst Andi Thanoj and George Forsyth are unlikely to return for Tuesday evening's home tie against struggling AFC Sudbury (ko 7.45pm).