Borough go down to the wire

Forest Green’s victory over Histon meant that would have been the case regardless of the outcome on Saturday but events at Rockingham Road certainly did not help their survival chances.

Despite this thumping, Borough remain just above the relegation zone but that could change tomorrow night if Gateshead avoid defeat against champions Stevenage.

If that happens then Borough will need to get at least a point and possibly all three against Oxford United at Priory Lane and hope results elsewhere go their way.

To make the task even harder they will have to do it without goalkeeper Danny Knowles after he broke his leg in a collision with Jean-Paul Marna which also led to his dismissal.

Goalkeeping coach Dean Lightwood, who officially retired as a player seven years ago, took over between the posts and was promptly beaten by Marna’s penalty before conceding three more.

The 41-year-old is on standby together with Hastings stopper Greg Nessling to play in the crucial clash with Oxford unless Borough are given special dispensation to bring in a goalkeeper on emergency loan.

FA rules state that club’s can only bring in a goalkeeper on loan after the end of March if they can prove they do not have a fit and available alternative already at the club.

Borough boss Garry Wilson said: “I don’t think we will be allowed to bring anyone in on loan but we’ll obviously have to look into it.

“Greg Nessling has signed forms for us but he might be wanted by Hastings while Dean strained a muscle and is struggling.

“It is not ideal but we’ll have to check the rules and see what we can do.”

Borough could certainly do with a helping hand after everything went against them at Rockingham Road.

Simon Weatherstone should have given them the lead in the 13th minute when he failed to beat Nathan Abbey from close range and although Knowles was forced to make good stops from Marna and James Jennings, the game was evenly balanced up until the 37th minute.

Then the lively Marna got behind the Borough defence and was brought down by Knowles who was still writhing in agony as referee Stephen Ross pointed to the spot and brandished the red card.

Borough had no complaints with the penalty but it seemed a harsh dismissal as Marna had knocked the ball a long way ahead of him and there were defenders chasing back.

Lightwood – who was only on the bench as Neil Jenkins aggravated an injury in the warm up – came on for his first appearance for three years with Luke Rooney being sacrificed.

Marna rammed home Kettering’s advantage from the spot and added a second penalty in injury time when Ben Austin handled his through ball.

The game was effectively over at that stage and it was just a case of how many Kettering would score in the second half.

In the end they had to settle for four thanks to strikes from Marcus Kelly and Jennings but it could have been more but for some wayward finishing as the home side exploited their extra man.

The only good news for Borough was that Gateshead lost at Ebbsfleet to keep them out of the danger zone until tomorrow at least.

Wilson added: “It just seemed that everything that could go wrong did go wrong for us.

“I felt we had done enough to go in level at half-time but the the incident with Danny was a big turning point. Not only did they get a penalty and Danny get sent off but our players saw him in distress and that was a factor.

“I didn’t think it was a red card either as we had players getting around the back and in those kind of situations referees have got to be a little bit fairer.

“It is going to go down to the wire but we have said it probably would for a long time now.

“Stevenage are a very professional side so hopefully they can do us a favour on Tuesday but we can’t worry about other results. All we can do is try to win next weekend and if we do then we are still in with a chance.”

Kettering: Abbey, Taylor, Jennings, Roper, Dempster (sub Thomas, 75), Wrack, Noubissie, Boucaud (sub Carillo, 83), Kelly, Marna (sub Ebigbo, 71), Dance. Subs not used: Cooper, Charles. Booked: None.

Borough: Knowles, Baker, Austin, Elphick (sub Pullan, 46), Brown, Rooney (sub Lightwood, 42), Smart, Weatherstone, M Crabb, Taylor, Atkin (sub Johnson,65). Subs not used: N Crabb, Benjamin.

Booked: M Crabb