Goals: Loaring 53’; Allen 90’ – Somo 51’; 57’.

Ross Allen’s stunning late volley saved Guernsey a vital point that keeps the Isthmian South Central relegation play-off spots at arm’s length.

At the end of a game where the Green Lions struggled to rise to the occasion at times, that goal could prove one of the most important of the season as we go in to what may be a nail-biting run-in.

From the outside it looks like two points dropped given the Sarnians’ good record against Chipstead and the context of the survival battle, but in the circumstances it was far more positive as Tony Vance’s side trailed until very late on.

Allen chose the perfect day for his latest wonder-strike, in front of the biggest crowd at Footes Lane this season.

After a poor first half, GFC had to come from behind twice in the second. It was the two players rested last weekend, and the club’s two most capped players on the pitch that led their side to a point, Matt Loaring scoring the first equaliser.

The first period certainly wasn’t anything to write home about. Sam Murray’s low cross was slightly too far ahead of Charlton Gauvain as is flashed across goal. Jacob Fallaize headed Dave Merris’ corner narrowly over at the far post, while at the other end Keanu Marsh did well to keep out Andy Somo.

The game came to life after the break, with three goals in eight minutes. It was not the start the Sarnians would have wanted. Bobby Moore’s pass cut open the home defence and Somo got across his man to run through and spank the ball past Addison via the near post.

Tony Vance’s instant response was to send on Loaring for Joe Alvarez, and the change made an instant impact as the midfielder scored with his first touch, mere moments after taking the field. Marsh did brilliant charging down the right, leaving Teddy Perkins on his backside. March clipped the ball into the area and the ball hung up perfectly for the run of Loaring, who directed his header down and in at the near post.

Guernsey were only level for another four minutes though, courtesy of an almost carbon-copy goal from Somo, the only difference being him going across goal and finding the opposite corner as he was again out through by Moore. GFC’s appeals for offside fell on deaf ears.

The Green Lions here denied another instant leveller as a flag went up to cancel out Murray’s header. There was no hint of offside, so it was presumably given for a very soft foul against Allen.

Marsh flung himself at Gauvain’s inswinging free-kick but sent his diving header just over Matt Kerbey’s crossbar, and Allen couldn’t get a touch to poke the ball in as Kerbey spilled a cross.

The Sarnians looked to heading for a very damaging defeat but their most reliable hero hauled them level as the game ticked onto 90 minutes. Gauvain did well to keep the chance alive as Merris’ corner bounced awkwardly. Gavuain threw himself at the ball to head it into the path of Allen, who flicked the ball up for himself before lashing in an unstoppable volley with his left foot that flew like a bullet past Kerbey – another contender for Goal of the Season from our number 10 and captain for the day.

The celebrations were wild, but there was still a win to be sought in injury time. Allen came close again as Hale flicked on Addison’s diagonal long ball and Allen’s header looped just off-target.

The point kept Guernsey in 15th, perched four points above the relegation play-offs but Merstham have a game in hand and a better goal-difference, demonstrating the importance of Allen’s late strike.

Saturday’s other results were as follows: Ashford Town 2-2 Chertsey Town, Basingstoke Town 3-2 Uxbridge, Bedfont Sports 2-2 Marlow, South Park 1-1 Westfield, Thatcham Town 2-1 Northwood, Tooting & Mitcham United 0-2 Sutton Common Rovers, Walton & Hersham 5-1 Binfield.

Chipstead: 1 Matt Kerby; 2 Jerry O’Sullivan; 3 Charlie Kennett; 4 Teddy Perkins; 5 Daniel Pappoe; 6 Ollie Hamstead; 7 Jensen Grant; 8 Bradley Wilson; 9 Andy Somo; 10 Jonathan Hood; 11 Bobby Moore. Not used: 12 Kieran Lavery; 14 Aaron Joseph; 15 David Wilkinson. 

Booked: Pappoe, Hood.