Late Rushall strike condemns Kettering Town to first defeat of the season
Kettering Town's unbeaten start to the season finally came to an end as they suffered a 3-2 defeat at Rushall Olympic in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central.
With the match dramatically overshadowed by the sensational takeover news breaking away from Dales Lane, it would have been understandable if the players’ minds were elsewhere.
A major accident on the A14 also prevented a large number of fans attending the game, resulting in a sparse away gathering at Rushall - something Kettering players have rarely experienced in a number of seasons.
But neither issue seemed to cause concern for the men in red and black as they took the lead after just five minutes when Eddie Panter's delivery found Tai Fleming, who applied the final finish.
The Pics hit back on 24 minutes, equalising through Kaiman Anderson who was able to scramble home at the back post after the ball was not cleared on several occasions from the Kettering box.
Striking partner Alex Cameron gave the hosts the lead on the stroke of half-time with a strike from range that goalkeeper Paul White will feel he could have done better with.
Shaun Jeffers had had a strong first start in eight games and drew the scores level at 2-2 on 51 minutes after the ball fell kindly to him six yards out to bundle home.
Lawson D'Ath stung the hands of home keeper Ollie Taylor 12 minutes later with a fierce shot, while White also needed to be up to the challenge on 80 minutes to maintain the deadlock.
But Kettering have been guilty of falling asleep in the latter stages of matches this term, and they fell foul again on 84 minutes when a cross wasn't cut out from the right and Cameron was able to place a superb header beyond White, who had no chance of getting a hand to the ball.
Amir Hadi won a dangerous free-kick on the edge of the area on 89 minutes which Taylor was able to cling on to, before Rushall ran the clock down to secure their fifth league win of the season and draw level with the Poppies in the table with 15 points.
The result will be a blow but the night, but this date will be remembered for much more significant news.
Suddenly there will be appetite from Kettering fans to make sure they travel to Matlock Town on Saturday as the Poppies begin their FA trophy campaign in Derbyshire.