Bowman fires an arrow through Hemel hearts as Tudors are denied at the death

The Bath players celebrate their late equaliser. Picture (c) Terry Rickeard

There was late drama at Vauxhall Road yet again as Bath City struck a 94th minute equaliser to deny Hemel Town a vital three points in a 1-1 draw in this afternoon's National League South clash.

It looked as though Hemel were on track to record their first win in seven games courtesy of Graeme Montgomery’s early strike, but Dan Bowman fired home at the death to salvage a point for the visitors.

Hemel went into the game buoyed by last week’s late fight-back against high-flying Sutton United, and they were soon in front as Dennis Oli raced down the right flank and crossed for Montgomery to slide the ball home via the crossbar on six minutes.

Bath came close to an equaliser seven minutes later as Eliot Richards fired in a fierce low drive from the edge of the area, but Tudors keeper Jamie Butler got down well to make the save.

Hemel manager Dean Brennan watches on. Picture (c) Terry Rickeard

At the other end, Oli latched on to a long bouncing ball from Butler, but his flicked header went a couple of yards wide of the post, with Bath keeper Steve Phillips standing motionless.

Soon afterwards, another long ball from Butler caused confusion in the Bath defence; Jamie Slabber did well to win possession and round Phillips, but Danny Greenslade got back to hack the ball off the line.

Hemel were looking dangerous going forward, and Michael Richens brought a flying save out of Phillips from a fiercely-struck free-kick, before Montgomery fired the rebound wide on the half-volley.

The Tudors should have doubled their lead around the half hour mark when Oli found himself unmarked in front of goal, but could only head the ball over the bar, before the big striker raced clear twice in quick succession but couldn’t find a clinical finish.

Hemel celebrate Graeme Montgomery's opening goal. Picture (c) Terry Rickeard

Hemel went in at half-time knowing that they should have been further ahead, and it was Bath who had the first chance of the second half when Liam Kelly forced a decent stop from Butler.

The Hemel keeper had to be alert again on the hour mark as Dave Pratt broke through on goal, with Butler spreading himself well to deny the Bath striker.

Bath were beginning to look dangerous and a big chance fell to the visitors when Kelly found himself free in the area, but he could only manage to lob his effort wide of the post.

Butler was called into action soon afterwards to save at the feet of Greenslade, while Pratt should have done better with a late header but could only direct it straight at the Hemel number one.

An equalising goal was beginning to look inevitable, and it duly arrived in the final minute of stoppage time as Bowman pounced late to salvage a point for his side.

Hemel Hempstead Town: 1 Jamie Butler, 2 Ben Herd (c), 3 Jack Kelly, 4 Dennis Oli, 5 Oliver Thorne, 6 Reiss Greenidge, 7 Sean Shields (16 Harry Hickford, 56 mins), 8 Michael Richens, 9 James Potton, 10 Jamie Slabber, 11 Graeme Montgomery.

Subs not used: 12 Adam Morgan, 14 Terrell Forbes, 15 Adam Bailey-Dennis, 17 Jack Smith.

Bath City: 1 Steve Phillips (c), 2 Dean Bowman, 3 Danny Greenslade, 4 Andy Gallinagh, 5 Dan Ball, 6 Billy Murphy, 7 Frankie Artus, 8 Liam Kelly, 9 Eliot Richards (12 Chas Hemmings, 45 mins), 10 Dave Pratt, 11 Andy Watkins (16 Brad Williams, 60 mins).

Subs not used: 14 Ashley Kington, 15 Sekani Simpson.

Attendance: 358.