By Jimmy Walters

Blake Pays Penalty in Draw

Sponsored by a curry house and lining up with two amply proportioned players looking like a cross between Red Dwarf's Dave Lister and Jamaican music nutter Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Barnt Green were the last side you would expect to take a point home from Fortress New Windmill.

Mind you, the incredible form of one Mr Blake suggested he would be the last player on the pitch to miss a penalty. So much for predictions! Not one for the purist (yes, some of them are), this run-of-the-mill affair scrapped its way through a muddy first half. The boy Blake finally got things going after 40 minutes; collecting a fine cross from Shearsby, who looks more assured by the game. It was he who came closest before that, heading a Brian Agar cross into the goalkeeper's arms.

Real chances were at a premium as the match progressed, with Simon Wickson's excellent run and low shot just wide being the pick of the second-half moments - until the penalty. The referee pointed to the spot after a 59th-minute push on Ian Billington. Blake sent the keeper the wrong way, but - horror- his shot hit the post and rebounded to safety. It looked like a potentially match-turning moment - and it was. The Birmingham side weathered the storm and equalised with a fast counter-attack goal as Brakes continued to press. Keeper Paul O'Keeffe, his mind thankfully not distracted by his recent engagement, made several important saves late on as the Brummies scented an upset. The attendance of 409 was the NWG's lowest so far, albeit higher than any Doc Marten's Western Division gate (Racing Club take note). But cheer up - the game was only switched to our place at short notice.

Leamiongton Paul O'Keeffe; Tim Romback (Ian Billington 56m); Guy Rippon; Will Payne; Kevin Ariss; Adam Ball; Darren Timms; Barry Shearsby (Steve Thompson 70m); Josh Blake; Brian Agar, Simon Wickson (Jon Burgess 70m)