Adam Yates reports from the MTA…
Brackley Town continued their hunt for promotion coming from behind at Marine AFC for a fiercely contested 2-1 victory.
The home fans were eager to see their side record back to back wins for the first time this season and they couldn’t have wished for a better start.
A Kallan Murphy cross met the head of captain Bobby Grant who made no mistake from close range in the opening minute to score his first goal since his return from long term injury.
Brackley Town, shell shocked from going behind from the off, began to find their feet and most of the first half possession belonged to the promotion hopefuls.
The Saints have scored in their last 14 away fixtures and just past the stroke of the half hour came the equaliser that they had threatened. Matt Lowe swiveled his body from yards out following a uncleared set piece to better the Marine keeper, Max Metcalfe.
Brackley continued their attacking threat after the break and were justly rewarded for their efforts. Another close range chance was cooly converted, this time via a Connor Hall header.
Town captain, Gareth Dean performed a crucial goal line clearance in the middle of the second half to prevent substitute, Finlay Sinclair-Smith from poking in a certain equaliser.
Marine had their moments in the second period, especially in the final third of play but nothing resembled a golden opportunity. Defender Chris Doyle was closest with an attempted audacious lob which came close to paying off. Brackley were less inclined to take risks up front and played the game out effectively to keep them within range of league leaders Chester.
Marine next up face Kidderminster Harriers this Tuesday in the last home game of the month with every point looking to be crucial come the end of April.
Marine (4-5-1): Metcalfe; Brown, Wardle, Mattock, Shaw (Doyle 51); Whelan, Gregson (Lusiama 82), Thomas (Hazlehurst 72), Murphy (Robinson 82), Scarisbrick; Grant (Sinclair Smith 72)
Brackley Town (5-3-2) Maxted; Carline, Hall, Roberts, Little, Byrne; Okafor (Newton 80), Dean, O’Sullivan; Lowe, Donawa
Subs not used – Bates, Pollock, Abbey, Calder
Attendance: 1,227