COLNEY Heath had their first win of the New Year snatched away in the cruellest of circumstances on Saturday as Leverstock’s Adiel Mannion grabbed a last gasp equaliser.

Heath looked to have wrapped up all three points when Jamie Eames latched on to a knock down from Dean Parratt to score in the 87th minute but Mannion netted in injury time to give his side a share of the spoils.

Having lost four on the spin, Heath were looking to improve their recent run of form against the side directly above them in the SSML Premier Division and they looked the more likely to score as Eames flashed a shot just wide inside five minutes.

Leverstock struck back with a series of chances from Mannion and Curt Dizon before the biggest incident of the first half. The ball looked to have been handled by a Leverstock defender but despite Heath’s protests the referee waved play on.

The game ebbed and flowed for the remainder of the first half and much of the second as neither time could find a way past the two inspired goalkeepers.

Then just as the game looked to be heading for a goalless draw, Leverstock failed to clear their lines allowing Eames to smash the ball into the net from six yards.

However, the Leverstock side didn’t let their heads drop and fought back strongly and in the last minute a run and square ball from James Dabbs set up Mannion, who struck an equaliser from 12 yards.

Both sides could have won the game in stoppage time as Dabbs and Colney Heath substitute Jamie Hazel forced a save from Tom Coulton before the ‘keeper dived at Aaron Clarke’s feet to deny a potential winner.

Colney Heath were due to travel to AFC Dunstable on Wednesday night and they will make the journey to Holmer Green on Saturday.