Critts in the Nick of time (From Dorset Echo)

Critts in the Nick of time

11:29pm Tuesday 26th January 2010 in

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Dorchester TOWN 1 LEWES 1

DORCHESTER Town kept their heads above water with Nick Crittenden the point-saving hero once more.

The Magpies, who had Crittenden to thank at the weekend after his double salvaged a draw against Staines, fell behind to a Jean-Michel Sigere strike midway through the second half.

Crittenden equalised six minutes later to prevent relegation-threatened Lewes drawing level on points with the Magpies, but the county town side will reflect on a missed opportunity to move six points clear of the Blue Square South drop-zone as several chances went begging at the Jewson Stadium.

Caretaker-boss Ashley Vickers named an unchanged line-up, and substitutes’ bench, following the 2-2 draw with Staines.

And after an action-starved opening, the fans finally saw some excitement in the 20th minute.

Steve Devlin latched onto a long punt from keeper Simon Evans and after holding off the challenge of a Rooks’ defender, the home winger let fly from just outside the penalty area only to be denied by the foot of a post.

However, had the strike been on target, Devlin’s effort would have been ruled out for offside following an extremely late flag from the referee’s assistant.

Lewes forced four corners in the opening half hour, but to no avail, while James Coutts and Devlin both saw long-range drives easily held by visiting gloveman Rikki Banks.

Lewes’ Kane Louis thought he had found a way through the home defence on 31 minutes, but after shaking off Vickers a first time, the striker was not so lucky on the second occasion and the Magpies’ boss made a crucial intervention.

Ryan Moss volleyed straight into the arms of Banks from 20 yards while at the other end a ball over the top, which had Jake Smeeton on the back foot, was crossed low by David Wheeler and narrowly missed by the sliding Sigere.

The last action of a low-key half saw Matt Groves pick out strike partner Moss, who was presented with a clear sight of goal. However, Dorchester’s number nine fired too close to Banks.

The second period began somewhat more frantically as a goalmouth scramble ensued in the Lewes box.

Vickers rose to meet a Devlin corner, the loose ball eventually dropped to Nathan Walker but after he poked goalwards the visiting defence managed to clear their lines. The Magpies went even closer a minute later as Groves raced clear. Unfortunately for the hosts, Dorchester’s top marksman was foiled by a smart stop from Banks.

Lewes’ first attack was an exact replica of one of their earlier forays. A cross-field pass found Wheeler on the right-hand side and his low centre just evaded the onrushing Sigere.

Joe Keehan was then afforded a free header from Dan Royce’s free-kick but he could only direct his effort over the top.

A pivotal moment in the game arrived midway through the half as the Rooks forged ahead with their first attempt on target, seconds after Dorchester wasted a glorious chance to take the lead themselves.

First, a delightful through pass from Coutts, using the outside of his right boot, put Moss in the clear.

Banks came racing out of his box and made a perfectly timed challenge just as Moss tried to lift the ball over him.

And the Magpies were punished immediately as Lewes broke and Sigere fired beyond Evans following a neat turn in the home box.

With defeat staring them in the face, Dorchester upped the tempo and Groves forced Banks into action once again.

The home supporters did not have to wait much longer in their search for some much-needed relief as Saturday’s saviour Crittenden hauled the Magpies level.

After picking up possession on the edge of the Lewes area, the tricky winger shuffled to his left before delivering a measured effort that found the top left corner.

With the wind in their sails, Dorchester came within a whisker of completing the comeback – Mark Jermyn seeing his ambitious scissor-kick bounce off the top of Banks’ crossbar.

Entering the final 10 minutes, a poor kick from Banks was almost punished by Groves, whose 25-yard effort narrowly missed the target.

Lewes then put the Magpies under some unwelcome pressure with substitute Arron Hopkinson striking a post from an acute angle, following a misunderstanding between Vickers and Evans, and Wheeler sending a low drive just past the right-hand upright.

Crittenden almost made it a double for the second successive game but after collecting Banks’ clearing punch, the 31-year-old saw his blast superbly tipped over by the away keeper.

Magpies: Evans, Critchell, Smeeton, Jermyn, Walker, Vickers, Crittenden, Coutts, Moss, Groves, Devlin. Subs not used: R Hill, K Hill, Bowles, Emati-Emati, Nodwell.

Lewes: Banks, Barness, Sutton, Pearson, Peauroux (Crellin 76), Breach, Wheeler, Keehan, Sigere, Louis (Chamberlain 63), Royce (Hopkinson 83). Subs not used: Timms, Pope.