Cambridge City throw away two-goal lead to lose late on against Loughborough Dynamo at Westwood Road

A stunned silence greeted the final whistle at Westwood Road this afternoon as Cambridge City fell to a 4-3 defeat at the hands of Loughborough Dynamo.

With just eight minutes remaining on the referee’s watch, hosting City were 3-1 up and seemingly heading towards a victory that would have moved them six points clear of the Pitching In Northern Premier League Midlands Division’s relegation zone.

But almost out of nowhere, Robbie Nightingale’s men wilted – conceding not once, twice but three times in the space of just six minutes to end up with nothing.

Sections of the City fanbase voiced their displeasure when George Ball rolled in what turned out to be the winning goal, but come the game’s conclusion most people were a little lost for words.

While Dynamo, who have tightened their grip on a play-off place with this victory, dominated the possession from the outset, City always looked a threat on the break.

They opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Brad Rolt forced the ball in from close range after captain Taylor Parr had done well to keep Stefan Broccol’s right-wing cross alive at the back post.

And five minutes later the hosts doubled their advantage with an eye-catching counter-attack. Broccoli did well to trap Mikey Davis’ long pass down the left flank and his low cross into the Dynamo box was equally as impressive. Rolt was also on the move, darting towards the near post and then showing good composure to steer the ball inside the far corner of the net.

Much of Dynamo’s threat throughout the first half came from set pieces. Captain Robert Norris’ corners caused numerous problems, but his side were unable to profit with Jack Gibson spurning the best opportunity when he headed over.

Another feature of the opening 45 minutes was City catching Dynamo’s attackers offside on numerous occasions. However, the visitors’ Rio Molyneaux timed his run to perfection in the 37th minute and after rounding City goalkeeper Joe Welch, the striker did well to finish with two defenders desperately battling to get back on the line.

To City’s credit, they responded positively and after a front-foot start to the second half they got their rewards in the 51st minute. It was another swift breakaway, which was spearheaded by Manny Dahie, who at the second time of asking picked out Kyle Boyce on the left hand side of the penalty area and the MK Dons loanee found the bottom corner with a smart finish.

With their two-goal lead restored, the Lilywhites had their tails up and they set about scoring a fourth goal. A couple of highly presentable chances were carved out for Dahie in quick succession just before the hour mark, but his close-range effort from Boyce’s cross was smothered by Dynamo goalkeeper Lewis King and then the midfielder was unable to connect with Rolt’s pass.

As the second half wore on, Dynamo started to camp out in City territory. Charlie Carter’s 68-minute drive from the edge of the box was turned over by Welch, who then stood tall to thwart Evant Garnett after the centre-forward had spun sharply away from City skipper Parr.

With eight minutes remaining it appeared that City were going to weather the storm, only to then spectacularly throw it away.

Garrard halved Dynamo’s deficit when he poked the ball beyond Welch. The City defence were adamant that the away side’s number nine was offside, and they never recovered from the lack of a flag.

Loughborough drew themselves level in the 87th minute when a long ball forward from King caught out City’s rearguard and they were punished by substitute Ball’s effort that bobbled into the bottom corner.

Instead of celebrating earning what had looked like an unlikely point, Dynamo instead got the ball out of the net and readied themselves for the restart. They sensed blood and within 60 seconds the comeback was complete. It was far too easy for Ball to drift into the City box unopposed and dispatch a low effort into the bottom corner.

With City shell-shocked, their response was predictably muted and instead it was Dynamo that went close to adding further goals, only to be denied by Welch.

City, who have not won at home since November 4, will have to try to lift themselves on Tuesday evening when they make the trip to Leicestershire to take on third-placed Antsey Nomads.

Cambridge City: Welch, Scales, Davis, Chadwick, Tassell, Parr, Rolt (Cotton 89’), Dahie, Jones, Broccoli (Leech 89’), Boyce (Ingrey 89’)

Attendance: 208