Supersub Ben Carrington saved Worthing against Ryman division one leaders Grays at Woodside Road.

Manager Sammy Donnelly threw on the pony-tailed marksman 20 minutes from time with his men trailing 1-0. And, with almost his first touch, Carrington rewarded Donnelly's faith by winning a penalty when he was brought down by goalkeeper Ian Brooks.

The Grays goalkeeper was dismissed. Marc Rice's spot-kick was saved by stand-in keeper Steve Mosely, the former Southend centre-half, but Simon James pounced on Simon Funnell's centre from the rebound to stroke in the equaliser.

Carrington said: "It couldn't have worked out better!"

The 27-year-old forward has been in and out of the side all season because of a troublesome groin injury, but believes he has made a full recovery after a long rest. He said: "It seemed to stand up well against Grays and I'm confident I'll regain my match fitness over the next couple of matches."

Donnelly gambled by pushing up three forwards in the second half after the visitors had shaded the first. He threw on Carrington in an attempt to exploit his pace. Grays looked rattled almost immediately and, after the equaliser, looked increasingly uncomfortable.

It was James' first goal for the Rebels since signing from Dr Martens League outfit Havant and Waterlooville in the close season. The midfielder said: "It was the first goal I've scored for 18 months, but thank goodness I was in the right place at the right time to get it.

"We fully deserved a point. It was a tough match, which could have gone either way and, after being a goal down, we're happy with a point." Grays are only two points ahead of Donnelly's men, but the Worthing boss insisted he will not contemplate his side's chances of promotion until Easter.

What is more important for Donnelly now is extending Rebels' unbeaten run, which now stretches back nine matches. He said: "We lost three games (Bromley, Harlow and Yeading) because of our run in the FA Cup. It took us a while to knuckle down in the league. We're now doing that and it's important to keep our run going.

"It would be pointless to look at a league table with so many games left. I'll take a look at it nearer the end of the season, but in the meantime we've got to concentrate on winning matches. A point after going a goal behind was most welcome. Although had you said we'd get a point before, I'd have seen that as two points dropped.

"The team effort has been amazing in recent weeks. We get our tackles in and everyone gives it their all. I've got a good squad of honest players and we hope to continue our form. I was pleased by the way we defended against Grays. We got bodies behind the ball and looked good in the second half in attack."

In fact, Worthing were unlucky not to have secured three points. Paul Thomas missed a simple chance from six yards moments before the equaliser. But a Worthing win would have been daylight robbery after the visitors missed a host of chances before the interval.

Grays did eventually take the lead on a heavy surface ten minutes after the break. Jamie Riley got away dwon the left flank, put in an inch-perfect cross and Jon Nesling headed home unchallenged from six yards.

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