Chertsey Town were left nursing their mental wounds after failing to continue their winning sequence of league victories in a frustrating afternoon of missed chances.
High-flying Chertsey, who currently occupy third spot in the Combined Counties Premier League, had established a comfortable lead through Dean Papali but the referee's decision to award a penalty against Dominic Worthington completely changed the fabric of the game. Starting with the same eleven that successfully overcame Horley Town the previous week, the Chertsey side began strongly and played concise cutting football which was soon rewarded, in the seventh minute. Tom O'Regan was again active on the flank throughout the game and it was his touch that set Papali into space where he lifted the ball over Banstead keeper Mark Rouse.
Chertsey were comfortably in charge. Banstead's attacking options initially centred on the long high ball over the top of the Chertsey defence but this stale tactic gave way to a more successful passing game which led to Chertsey being pressed back as half time approached.
The penalty incident arrived two minutes from the break when the long leg of Worthington was adjudged to have made contact with Zak Graham before touching the ball. After a delay in play continuing without protest from the Banstead players, the whistle was blown and the penalty was given.
Gavin Quityne was appointed the job of bringing parity to the game, sending the previously near redundant Liam Stone the wrong way.
The second half went entirely Chertsey's way with Banstead Athletic determined to hang on to their point with no ambitions of attack being evident. Time and again, the ball came back at them but Chertsey were not ruthless enough to break down their resolute defence.
John Pomroy, Steve Goodard and Sam Belcher all joined from the bench to bolster their attacking options but it was to no avail. Although the Chertsey midfield controlled the park for well over an hour, no breakthrough could be achieved.
A goalkeeping error kick presented Kwabena Agyei with one of the best opportunities, as was Pomroy's failure to make contact in front of goal from another sizzling O'Regan cross.
Another goal strike was cleared from the line and although a generous amount of stoppage time was afforded to counter the understandably slowing tactics of the visiting side, Town could not turn all their possession and attacking impetus into the goal they ultimately deserved.
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