POLESWORTH 2 LUFFS 1 (16/03/02) Loughborough were left wondering what they have got to do to beat this Polesworth side as the North Warwick side registered the double in this season when "The Luffs" have only lost four times. It wasn't so much that Loughborough were the better side and didn't take their chances, but it was Polesworth's day and credit them with taking full advantage as twice the ball crossed the line for a a goal and twice the officials (all three) decreed it hadn't, it was a bizarre afternoon. From the very start Gunn made the Polesworth 'keeper Bannister make a save and O'Callaghan whipped a shot past the post, the early exchanges suggested this game was only going one way. There was some good first half football from the Loughborough side and pressure on Polesworth was almost continuous but they were stubborn in defence. O'Callaghan had a shot cleared off the line and Brookes turned his marker to deliver a good low cross but there was none there to take advantage. The pressure brought a series of corners and Loughborough sent up the big men from defence Edwards, Tebbutt and Springthorpe to try and prise open the Polesworth defence. Tebbut came closest with a shot just over the bar. Mcintosh went on a mazy run but his final shot was disappointing before the first bizarre event. Tebbut applied the header from a corner and the ball crossed the goal-line but the Polesworth defender Brown pulled it back with is hand. The Polesworth faithful behind the goal looked amazed and resigned to at least a penalty and a red card but the referee played on. A credit the Loughborough side who took it on the chin and resumed the offensive and minutes latter Gunn volleyed the ball into the roof of the net and turned to the referee as if to say "will that do then". "The Lufs" were a goal up and my goodness they had worked hard for it and Polesworth really were on the ropes and there for the taking. The first real save of the game for the Loughborough keeper Springthorpe came as Aubury broke clear and he was quickly at his feet. There were more chances for Loughborough to increase their lead, a deep cross from Gunn went unattended and Mcintosh wasted a free kick on the edge of the area. With half time approaching Polesworth were simply looking for a rest for their defenders but it had a sting in its tail, the Loughborough defence were caught cold and Smith stole the ball on the edge of the area and whacked it into the top corner, it was unbelievable 1-1 at half time. A bit of a rest and stirred by their late goal Polesworth were back in this game when they should have been dead and buried by half time. Loughborough were asked to take the game to their opponents and Mcintosh's cross saw Springthorpe glance a header a hairs breadth past the post. Steve Mould worked himself into a shooting position but the finish was disappointingly clear of the mark. O'Callaghan set up his striking partner Gunn for an easy chance but that too was missed and Polesworth saw their chance. Too intent on attacking the Loughborough defence were caught square and Smith went clear on keeper Springthorpe, the keeper came off best but the ball bounced kindly into the path of Brampton following up but knew precious little about it and it was two one to Polesworth. Manager Barrett who had already tore out most of his hair rang the chance, on came defender Bouchard and Loughborough's new Dutch signing Ibraham Nasden. Bouchard is an orginal and added a bit more drive to the game, the Dutchman showed some interesting and clever touches, in less desperate circumstances he could be an interesting player. There followed a catalogue of chances for Loughborough to get back in this game, but it surely wasn't their day and Polesworth were like a dog with a bone with their unlikely lead. Enter the second bizarre incedent, yet another cross into a crowded Polesworth defence and Springthorpe headed goalward keeper Bannister scopped it out of the net with some agility and again the officials missed it, this second mistake wasn't taken so lightly by the players, the Loughborough side by this time were getting a little bit desperate and wondering what sort of goals were going to count on this afternoon. It was still there for the taking, Gunn slid in at the back post and missed by a whisper and O'Callaghan hit the bar, but this simple wasn't Loughborough's day. On an afternoon of strange events Polesworth might have scored again in the last minute of the game, albeit that most of the Loughborough side were camped in the Polesworth half but keeper Springthorpe brought out the save of the season flying throught he air to tip a shot destined for the top corner to safety. Unfortunately it was lost in a haze of disappointment at losing the game in such a bizarre fashion, Polesworth celebrated their victory with an element of embarrassment. This result was a severe blow to Loughborough's chance of promotion, midweek had seen league leaders Rugby Town lose for only the second time this season as one or two strange results appear. It leaves Loughborough still in fourth place and still with a chance to move up. This Saturday sees the league leaders Rugby Town in Loughborough (kick off 2.45 pm), not for the first time, they have been here already in the cup which, by the time the penalties has fallen in their favour, was 7-8.