Goals: Ibie 76’ – Loaring (pen) 82’.

Matt Loaring scored his 80^th goal for Guernsey to earn a vital point at Northwood.

Loaring moved clear third in the all-time scoring list for the club, edging ahead of Dave Rihoy, as he netted from the spot in the final 10 minutes to make it seven points out of nine on the road in the space of a week.

Tony Vance’s side showed great character to get a result having fallen behind less than 10 minutes earlier to Sydney Ibie’s great finish after spending most of the second half under pressure.

But it was the Green Lions who started the game stronger, despite an early save by Lucas Hanley, scooping up a downward header. Charlton Gauvain was at the heart of Guernsey’s best work, and nearly broke the deadlock on four minutes as his side attacked. He took the ball down and drove a shot towards goal from outside the area only to see it crash off the post.

Glenn Le Tissier came close to marking his first start with a goal as he was put through by Loaring on 13 minutes but Dan Hosier was out quickly to smother. He then almost capitalised on a miskicked clearance from the Northwood stopper straight into the forward, but the ball bounced to safety.

Kyal Williams failed to turn a cross home from close range as Hanley made a block, while Kieran Mahon scuffed his shot and dragged wide after good football midfield by the visitors.

Midway through the half, a scramble in the Guernsey goalmouth somehow stayed out. Hanley did well initially to prevent Alex More getting an easy shot away and it was eventually blocked and cleared.

Le Tissier’s pressing forced Tommy Boxer into conceding a corner which was whipped in by Dave Rihoy. Gauvain got his head to it but Hosier gathered it up. Ben Acey then almost got lucky with an overhit cross that would have dropped in under the crossbar had Hosier not been alert to help it over.

Northwood were starting to gain a stronger foothold on the game as the half wore on. Yiannis Constantinou skied an effort before playing in Kyal Williams, whose shot was poor and collected by Hanley.

They carried that momentum into the second half and the Green Lions were pegged back. Keanu Marsh’s intervention prevented a certain goal from Williams’ delivery, while Teddey Stacey dragged wide from the edge of the area.

As Guernsey regained their grip on the game substitute Kyle Smith flicked on a free-kick for Marsh, who drove his shot wide. Smith was then through himself after Loaring flicked a ball round the corner but he hit his shot straight at Hosier.

There was still plenty of danger to deal with, though. Jacob Fallaize got a vital touch to divert Stacey’s half-volley wide. Josh Helmore then nearly took advantage of a bouncing ball but scuffed his shot and captain Jamie Dodd got in the way.

The deadlock was finally broken with just under 15 minutes left as Guernsey finally succumbed to the pressure. Northwood prevented a counter attack and the ball was fed to the right for Williams. He teed up substitute Ibie, who picked out the far corner with a lovely curling shot that was just out of Hanley’s reach.

The Green Lions could have crumbled from here, but dusted themselves down and got back on level terms six minutes later. They broke three on three and the ball was played across to Acey, who was poised to finish from point-blank range but Sam Jenkins was in the way to block, but the referee decided that a hand was used and pointed to the spot. Loaring took responsibility and staggered his run before burying his shot down the middle.

There was another late flurry from Northwood as they sought a later winner, but created nothing of note, and the Green Lions’ earned a great point to consolidate the two vital wins against Sutton Common Rovers and Staines Town in their last two games.

Guernsey remain 16^th in Isthmian South Central with Saturday’s other results as follows: Basingstoke Town 1-0 Ashford Town, Binfield 1-3 Bedfont Sports, Chalfont St Peter 1-1 Westfield, Chipstead 0-2 Bracknell Town, Marlow 4-2 Staines Town, South Park 0-0 Hanwell Town, Thatcham Town 0-2 Sutton Common Rovers, Tooting & Mitcham United 1-1 Uxbridge.

Northwood: 1 Dan Hosier; 2 Sam Jenkins; 3 Alex More; 4 Keagan Cole (c); 5 Tommy Boxer; 6 Luke Tingey; 7 Kyal Williams; 8 Teddy Stacey; 9 Josh Helmore; 10 Yiannis Constantinou (15 Sydney Ibie, 66’); 11 Carl Stewart (16 Matt Surmon 89’). Not used: 12 Micah Jackson; 14 Andy Lomas; 17 James Gurteen.

Booked: More, Williams, Jenkins.