Two-nil down and with the regulation 90 minutes played, Romford improbably rescued a point with two injury time goals.

This game had something for everyone; apart from the home side losing a two-goal lead, they lost two players to red cards, as referee Tony King struggled to keep on top of a game that was fast, frantic, and feisty. Aside from the double yellows, two other Clacton players were cautioned – including goalkeeper Avenell for time wasting – while Boro’s Kris Newby was also cautioned and Lewis Smith was sin-binned.

The game also featured the only instance that I can ever recall seeing of possession changing three times at a throw-in because the referee was unhappy with the time or place from which the throw-in was to be taken.

Romford had to work hard to match Clacton’s direct, combative style of football, and rarely this season have Boro been forced into so many hurried and wayward passes. The home side had a shot at goal - albeit wayward - in the very first minute when Charlie Collins shot over, and after twelve minutes a low cross from the right was met by Jake Clowsley, whose shot was held by Jake Anderson.

Romford gradually overcame Clacton’s early pressure to create chances of their own, the best of which saw Jesse Olukolu’s 24th minute cross met by Emmanuel Robe’s header that Luke Avenell pushed round a post. Olukolu shot wide and Bleron Ademi headed wide as Boro continued to create chances, but Clacton generally had more play and more pressure although thankfully, their shooting was generally wayward. Romford found it difficult to impose themselves on the game however, as the home side pressed them back.

It looked as though Boro would make it to half-time on level terms, but in the 44th minute Clacton took the lead that their pressure had been threatening. A free-kick on Boro’s left flank was floated into the box and Jack Marshall rose to head home at the far post.

Charlie Morris headed narrowly wide in the second minute of the second half, and after 57 minutes a curling shot from Jake Gordon – on for Olukolu, who had hobbled off two minutes earlier – was pushed away by Avenell for a corner, from which Kris Newby volleyed over.

Clacton doubled their lead after 59 minutes. A corner from the Clacton right found Clowsley at the far post and he headed home. Clacton’s Teddy Collis then did his team no favours by picking up a second yellow card after 64 minutes, and goalscorer Clowsley got his marching orders with 79 minutes played to reduce the home side to nine men.

Romford began to exploit their numerical advantage and Clacton’s attacks were becoming more sporadic. Whereas their direct style had been effective before the break, their long balls from the back were now being returned with increasing regularity. Boro sub Camilo Restrepo cut in from the left and put in a shot that ricocheted into the grateful arms of Avenell, and as the game entered the final five minutes of regular time, Lewis Smith fired over and Martin Tuohy saw Avenell push his goal-bound header away for one of the innumerable corners that Boro won in the closing stages.

It all looked in vain however, as the 90th minute arrived with Boro still two down, but in the first additional minute, Camilo Restrepo’s shot took a deflection, hit the bar and fell invitingly for Charlie Morris to head home from a foot out.

That wasn’t the end of the drama either. Clacton had desperately cleared more than one Boro corner when, in the sixth minute of added time, Lewis Smith took the ball from a short corner, ran across goal and was tripped. Referee Tony King did his popularity in north Essex no good at all by awarding a penalty. Jake Gordon – who missed a spot kick against Redbridge earlier in the season – stepped up and sent Avenell the wrong way to rescue a point.

Romford: Jake Anderson, Tambeson Eyong, Danny Hurford, Kris Newby (Jacob Wiggins, 68m), Scott Doe, Bleron Ademi (Martin Tuohy, 78m), Jesse Olukolu (Jake Gordon, 54m), George Cox (Camilo Restrepo, 68m), Emmanuel Robe, Lewis Smith, Charlie Morris. Unused sub: Toby Barlow