SUBSTITUTE Tom Cunningham-Smith struck twice in injury-time to salvage a point for Fairfield Villa as they fought back to claim a thrilling 3-3 draw against Leicester Road.
The point was more than Villa deserved as they produced a strong showing in what was their longest away trip of their Midlands Football League Division Two campaign.
But it looked like Fairfield were going to return home empty handed as Leicester secured a 2-0 lead at half time. The visitors started brightly as Pete Jenvey and John Pykett both stung the hands of the keeper. But it was the hosts who found the breakthrough before inflicting another blow on the stroke of half time.
Aaron Collins appeared to have been fouled when he was barged over the line after doing well to save a free-kick, which the keeper pushed on to the bar. But the goal was given which infuriated the visitors.
Despite the set back, Villa responded well in the second period and cut back the deficit when Connor Collins turned his marker and fired his shot beyond the keeper.
Both sides had chances, but Fairfield were beginning to shade the contest when the second dubious decision came their way.
Lewis Cosgrove seemed to produce a clean tackle to deny the opposition, but the referee thought otherwise and gave a penalty, which Leicester Road dispatched.
This should have knocked the stuffing out of Villa, who trailed 3-1, but instead Paul Oakes’ men fought to the death and got their reward.
Firstly, Smith reduced their arrears with a header before scoring a dramatic equaliser in the fourth minute of added time. And Fairfield almost snatched a stunning victory when the ball fell to Pykett in the box, but his shot went narrowly wide of the target.
Villa will now hope to pick up from where they left off when they go up against Earlswood Town at The Recreation Ground on Saturday.
