Late Hodgkins volley earns dramatic point

(Ascot United Press Report...)

MILTON MAKE A POINT TO TAKE A POINT AT ASCOT

Craig Griffiths was the hero as Milton United fought back from two goals down to snatch a draw at Ascot United. The ‘keeper produced a string of fine saves to keep the Yellamen at bay, before his side scored after 68 and 87 minutes to punish the home side’s wastefulness.

Griffiths stood up well to deny Ascot on numerous occasions, but his finger-tip save shortly before half time – at full stretch to tip a Bradley Fraser free kick over the crossbar – was the pick of the bunch.

Ascot had won the reverse fixture two-nil back in September courtesy of a David Pitt brace, but Milton – with three wins from their last four league outings – were eager to exploit the hosts’ midweek FA Vase exit wounds.

Both Fraser and Pitt had early sights of the Milton goal, but it was the visitors who came within inches of taking a sixth minute lead when Niall Hodgson's effort raked agonisingly wide after Adam Bruce had brilliantly backheeled him in.

Unluckily for Milton, they found themselves a goal down exactly upon the thirteen minute mark. Fraser was involved in the build-up, picked out Joe Grant, and the young striker skipped clear of a defender before dragging a precise low effort across Griffiths and into the far right corner.

Ascot doubled their lead after twenty minutes with a goal owing as much to the preceding cross than the resultant headed finish. This time, it was Fraser's dummy and dropped shoulder which paved the way for a brilliant right-wing cross which Wilson planted home at the far post.

Griffiths then stood up well to deny Pitt who had created space for a left-footed shot, before Fraser chipped wide and then headed over as Ascot created more chances.

Fraser then brought the very best out of Griffiths, stretching every sinew to claw away his free-kick after Deverall had been fouled, before Pitt dragged a shot wide two minutes before the break when a cross was the better option.

Seb Costello replaced Fraser for Ascot on the hour, and he soon played in Pitt who forced Griffiths into another smart save.

Ross Seldon then replaced Wilson as Ascot prepared to take a free-kick, but Milton gave themselves a lifeline on 68 minutes when Bruce squeezed a shot past Grace.

Bruce then came close to converting Jos Beech's shot as Milton's confidence grew, but Griffiths kept Milton in it with a 74th minute block to deny Adam Cashin-Murray.

Only a last-ditch tackle denied James Hicks after Beech and Tom Austin had combined well in more good Milton build up play, before Jamie West replaced frustrated Ascot striker Pitt for the final ten minutes.

However, Milton were not be denied, and their equaliser owed much to the brilliant run of Daniele Piscopo. His mazy run took him past a succession of home defenders, and after the ball was crossed, Hodgson smashed home a deflected effort three minutes from the end.

West almost nicked it for Ascot with a flying header in injury time, but his effort added to the tally of missed Ascot opportunities, and Milton literally made a point.