Poppies pay the penalty as chance to hit the top five is missed in Banbury draw
Kettering Town missed the chance to climb into the play-off positions after a goalless draw in horrendous conditions against Banbury United in the Pitching-In Southern League Premier Central.
It could have been a great night for a confident Poppies side, when on 40 minutes, referee Jonathan Lam pointed to the spot. But fans’ favourite Eddie Panter couldn't convert in a match that had few clear-cut threats on goals.
Banbury's Chris Wreh was the first to send the ball goalwards on four minutes but it was a comfortable early save for Paul White.
Minutes later and the visitors were lucky not to be reduced to 10 men when captain Yaw Nantwi-Ofosu clearly hurled Panter to the ground as the last defender, but only a yellow card was shown.
The Puritans picked up two further yellow cards in quick succession, with spoiling tactics their main aim. On 34 minutes a dangerous Lewis Coyle free-kick was deflected towards goal but keeper Jack Harding was on hand to brilliantly keep the ball out.
Six minutes later and Kettering fans were delirious when another dead ball appeared to be kept out by the hands of Nantwi-Ofosu who was already on a caution.
Referee Lam agreed, giving Kettering the penalty but no second card was brandished, After a length delay, up stepped Panter but Harding guessed the right way to dive to his right and parry away the spot kick.
By now, the conditions at Latimer Park were atrocious with a winde blowing a gale mixed in with horizontal rain.
The visitors had the better of the opening stages of the second half, and Carl Mensah thought he had given Kettering the lead on 70 minutes, but his well-directed header was well saved.
The weather continued to ruin the spectacle and there were few attacks of note in the final 15 minutes.
Two late corners threatened to spoil the evening for Kettering but a sky blue shirt wasn't on hand for the telling final touch.
A crowd of 846 is a strong Tuesday night crowd for the Poppies as their promotion push continues, but how greedy fans have quickly become when a draw against a strong Banbury side is seen as two points dropped?
The draw leaves Kettering seventh, two points behind fifth-placed Quorn, but still with a game in hand.
The Poppies are on the road on Saturday when they travel to a Barwell side sitting in the relegation zone.