Hayden earns Racers a point at home to Hayes

Racing Club Warwick fought back after conceding a controversial opener to earn a 1-1 draw at home to Heath Hayes on Tuesday night.
Jamie Smith puts the ball wide against Studley after losing his footing. Picture: Morris TroughtonJamie Smith puts the ball wide against Studley after losing his footing. Picture: Morris Troughton
Jamie Smith puts the ball wide against Studley after losing his footing. Picture: Morris Troughton

Racers keeper Conal Dowling was called into action early on to save a one-on-one, with Ash Buswell blocking the follow-up.

Dowling then produced an excellent save low to his left as Hayes applied pressure.

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The hosts’ only clearcut chance in the first half saw Ashley English cleverly lob the keeper only to see the ball agonisingly hit the post.

Heath Hayes took the lead in the 32nd minute, with Joe Emery driving home the loose ball after Racing Club right-back Connor Nowaczyk had received a kick to the head while clearing the initial danger.

The home side were much improved after the break, producing some of their best football of the season.

Chris Hayden hit the base of the post while Martin Slevin rattled the crossbar before Slevin picked out Hayden’s near-post run and the defender headed home to make it 1-1.

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As Racing Club pressed for a winner, Hayden was denied by the Heath Hayes keeper, while Wade Malley curled a 20-yard effort just over.

A last-minute wonder strike from Studley’s Robbie Bunn brought Racing Club’s unbeaten run to an end last Saturday.

The game had started brightly for the hosts with Ashley English squirting the ball wide after being released by a slide-rule pass from Jamie Smith.

However, the match had a distinct end-of-season feel to it until Bunn produced a winner out of nothing in the dying seconds.

Racers travel to Pilkington XXX tomorrow.