A stoppage-time equaliser from Fakenham Town player-boss Robbie Harris got the Ghosts a thoroughly deserved, and much-needed point, against fellow Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division strugglers Saffron Walden Town.

In a game which neither team could really afford to lose at Clipbush Park on Saturday it was inevitable there would be chances – it was just a case of who, if anyone, would take them.

For the majority of the game, both teams cancelled each other out. In the first half Fakenham were saved by the post, and some fine Tommy Rix agility. At the other end, Kyle Plumb came close on a couple of occasions but at the halfway point it was 0-0.

The second half was much the same. Stephen Harvey came to Fakenham’s rescue clearing off the goal-line, George Brooks fired just over for the Ghosts, and a deflected Harvey shot dipped just over the Saffron Walden crossbar.

Josh Youngs rattled the opposing bar, having flicked on a goal-bound header from Lee Day, and shortly after home keeper Rix produced another top drawer save to keep the score at 0-0.

On 78 minutes, Day was booked for the Ghosts after an altercation with an opposing player, who received nothing for his part in the incident – which happened right in front of the referee’s assistant.

The breakthrough finally came in the 85th minute and it was a real sucker punch goal from Walden. A shot from Plumb went agonisingly wide of the visitors’ upright, who were quick to take the goal kick and launch an attack of their own – duly firing past Rix in the Fakenham goal.

With a heightened sense of urgency, the Ghosts came back with wave after wave of attack in the desperate hope of salvaging something from the game and as stoppage time ticked away got their just reward.

A forward pass that beat the defence found its way through to Harris – supported in the attack by Plumb and Day – who flicked it over the advancing keeper to level with the final kick of the game and spark scenes of delight.

Although disappointed not to have won the game, the Ghosts’ gaffer was quick to praise his whole team’s performance.

“I thought everyone played their part really well. We stuck to the game plan, and could, and probably should have taken all three points” said Harris, whose side remain second from bottom and five points from safety.

“I still think with the games we have coming up, realistically we could be looking at a good strong finish”.

This weekend Harris’ Ghosts travel to bottom-placed Whitton United (3pm), knowing a win would further enhance their chances of catching those above them. The following week is the away trip to Saturday’s opponents Saffron Walden Town – who they could theoretically leapfrog if results go their way between now and then.

The club’s reserves host Buxton at Clipbush Park on Saturday, with kick off at 2pm.