Brennan hails hard-working Tudors after Butler caps '˜unbelievable ending' against Sutton

Hemel Town manager Dean Brennan says the Tudors '˜never stopped believing' that they could salvage something from the game as they battled back from 2-0 down in the 90th minute to rescue a point against Sutton United.
There were wild scenes at Vauxhall Road after Hemel goalkeeper Jamie Butler scored a stoppage time equaliser against Sutton. Picture (c) Terry RickeardThere were wild scenes at Vauxhall Road after Hemel goalkeeper Jamie Butler scored a stoppage time equaliser against Sutton. Picture (c) Terry Rickeard
There were wild scenes at Vauxhall Road after Hemel goalkeeper Jamie Butler scored a stoppage time equaliser against Sutton. Picture (c) Terry Rickeard

Hemel looked dead and buried with the clock ticking over into stoppage time, but goals from Michael Richens and Jamie Butler earned the Tudors a share of the spoils against their in-form visitors.

“The players worked hard, they gave it their all and the fans really got behind them,” said Brennan. “We are happy with the point, because like I said before the game, anything was a bonus for us in this game.

“Like I said in my programme notes, there’s always drama when we play Sutton. In the end we’ve had a bit of luck in the 90th minute, but we had hit the inside of the post at 2-0 down and that’s when you’re thinking that it’s not going to be your day.

“But our substitutes came on and made a big impact, and we never stopped believing. We kept on at the players to keep believing and keep working hard, and we got a bit of luck at the end.

“When I actually look at their opportunities to score, they didn’t have a lot, and in the end I think that the minimum we deserved was a point.”

Hemel went into the game as big underdogs against high-flying Sutton, but they kept battling to the end and were good value for their point.

Brennan continued: “Win, lose or draw, we always keep believing, despite the turmoil we have had at the club this season in terms of injuries.

“We’ve just got to enjoy today because it’s an unbelievable ending to see your goalkeeper scoring. If we just keep working hard our luck is going to change, and today we are just really happy with the result.

“I don’t think we deserved to be 2-0 down at any stage. I thought the game should have been abandoned when the ball stopped rolling in the rain for their second goal, but I know it’s a tough decision for the referee.”

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