Southern League Premier

Bedford Town 1 Evesham United 1

A bizarre refereeing decision to award a 90-minute penalty robbed Bedford of all three points in their season opener against Evesham.

Ahead through an Akin Aladetoun header, the Eagles thought they had successfully defended a last-gasp corner, only for referee McCaul to point to the spot after Eddie Lawley had allegedly tangled with an opponent - a decision branded 'ridiculous' by the Bedford skipper.

Danny Scheppel confidently stuck away the spot-kick for the visitors, meaning Bedford are still dogged by the statistic of not having won on the opening day in the new millennium.

Recently installed manager Lee Howarth led his side into the game on the back of an impressive pre-season and his team appeared intent on extending their five match unbeaten run right from kick off.

Of the new signings Craig Daniel impressed most. With just four minutes gone, the former Wootton man escaped down the right, having the presence of mind to cut the ball back for the onrushing Steve Gentle, although the big man appeared to slip as he fired a disappointing effort wide.

It looked like it would prove a costly miss just seconds later when a nervous back pass from Lawley was followed by an even more anxious clearance from goalkeeper Michael Armitt, but his blushes were spared as Danny Lennon curled the ball over the crossbar.

Newly-promoted Evesham enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half, piling on pressure through the crosses of Simon Fitter. Stuart Wall, however, remained an impenetrable barrier, repeatedly denying the opposition.

In a tightly contested game, Bedford had to remain patient as they sought a breakthrough, which they thought had arrived in the 80th minute.

A freekick midway inside the Eagles half was punted long upfield by Jon Darby and Karl Lewis in the Evesham goal somehow managed to let a routine catch slip through his fingers.

Lively substitute Aladetoun was first to the loose ball and drilled it home, much to the delight of the Bedford faithful. However, the home side's cheers were immediately silenced as the referee ruled that Lewis had been impeded as he attempted to claim the ball.

However, Aladetoun was not to be denied. Just three minutes later, a crossfield ball was neatly taken down by Daniel, who dinked the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper, before unselfishly crossing for Aladetoun to head into an empty net.

Rookie manager Howarth certainly showed his tactical nous with the players he introduced, both Aladetoun and Ashley Blake unsettling a hitherto solid Evesham backline as the game swung in Bedford's favour.

Pressing hard for an equaliser, Evesham forced a corner at the death. The dangerous delivery was met by a powerful header from their centre-half, which rebounded off the crossbar, as the whistle sounded.

With no infringement apparent, puzzlement turned to disbelief at New Eyrie as Mr McCaul awarded Evesham a penalty. The visitors were not in a charitable mood and duly accepted the chance to take a point back to Worcestershire.

After the final whistle the officials were surrounded by the Bedford players - hardly an endorsement for the FA's new 'Respect the Ref' campaign.

However, in truth their frustration was understandable, as dubious decisions at both areas in the last 10 minutes denied Bedford a winning start.

Bedford Town: Armitt, Miller, Lawley (c.), Kierans, Darby, Wall, Daniel, Cavill, Phillips, Gentle (Aladetoun 75), Boland (Blake 60)
Bookings: Lawley

Evesham United: Lewis, Watson, Hayden, Hodnett (c.), Hands, Clarke, Fitter, Scheppel, Lennon, Hay, Hands. Sub used: Davis

Attendance: 382.