By Roger Vincent

Tolley Two Not Enough in Brakes' Fightback

Brakes went 3-0 down with a sleeping defence falling to simple goals in the 4th, 25th and 35th minute, the last an own-goal headed past keeper Thornton after a corner. With defender Lee Scott moved up front to add some height to the attack, injuries to strikers Claridge and Stacey, and some regulars rested or on the bench they started like a team who didn't know eachother.

But gradually they got it together and pulled one back before half-time, in the 38th, when Tolley struck a free-kick over the wall and, Beckham-like, into the top corner. Now they started to play and the impressive Tolley broke on the right to cross for Mellings to drive just over.

In the second half with self-belief starting to grow Brakes pulled back another in the 49th when Tolley broke through and slotted home. With James Taylor having an outstanding game it looked like they would save the match and possibly go on to win though Highgate went close in the 53rd when they skimmed the top of the bar after a Thornton fumble.

Poole came on for Pett in the 65th and Brakes were denied a clear penalty soon after on an evening where decisions seemed to go against them. Beezely and Kyriacou replaced Taylor and Collen in the 76th and both impressed in the later stages but against a stronger and older team Brakes could not break through for the equaliser that their battling performance deserved.