Division One:

Johnston 4-3 Milford United

TWO goals from Ryan Doyle helped Johnston move third in Division One – but only after The Tigers withstood a late fightback from Milford United at Glebelands last night (Tuesday).

Doyle’s brace, either side of a William Goodall leveller For The Robins, had seemingly set up a routine win for the home side when Joe John and Bradley Barrett added further goals – but two late penalties from Milford’s Ashley Mathias ensured a tense finish.

But the home side hung on to go above the West Dragons in third, while The Robins lie four points above the relegation zone, and still have work to do to secure their place in the top flight next season.

There was little sign of a goal-fest in a quiet opening 45 minutes, the only goal coming five minutes in when Doyle headed home a Hayward free kick.

Moments later the same combination almost doubled the lead, but this time Doyle was unable to make proper contact with his player-manager’s cross and Milford keeper Andrew Fairbairn made the save.

But there was little in the way of first half chances thereafter, although two minutes before the break John turned Goodall 30 yards from goal, and then struck a superb half volley that cannoned off the top of the bar.

However, after the break the visitors finally began to threaten – and 48 minutes in were level when Johnston keeper Joel Codd could only parry Ryan Wilson’s free kick, and centre back Goodall tapped home the rebound.

Wilson then whipped a right foot shot inches over, before The Robins were dealt a blow when scorer Goodall was forced off with injury.

And on 59 minutes, The Tigers regained the lead when Barrett’s long throw was flicked on by John – and Doyle nodded home from close range.

Just three minutes later it was 3-1, as Barrett charged down a Scott Griffiths’ clearance, and John picked up the loose ball and drove a 20 yard shot into the bottom corner.

There was further injury woe for Milford as keeper Andrew Fairbairn then limped off, replaced by Jason Hicks, whose first real involvement was a smart save from Barrett.

But from the resultant corner, the striker was not to be denied again, heading home another Hayward delivery at the back post.

Doyle missed a chance of a hat trick when he blazed over from inside the area – before the visitors grabbed a lifeline with 16 minutes left when Johnston defender Sion Price was penalised for holding in his own area, and Mathias planted his left foot penalty low into the corner.

And in injury time, Adrian Hutchings’ side made further inroads when home right back Scott Murray took Chris Thompson down, and after referee Jonathan Twigg again pointed to the spot, Mathias scored with an almost identical effort to his first.

There was precious little time left for The Robins to grab an unlikely equaliser however, and The Tigers controlled possession in the final moments to close out the win.

Johnston: Joel Codd, Scott Murray, Chris Phillips, Ben Phillips, Sion Price, Tom Wilks, Ryan Doyle, Luke Hayward, Joey George, Joe John, Bradley Barrett.

Subs not used: Andrew Murray, Haydn Smith, Ryan Hayward.

Milford United: Andrew Fairbairn (Jason Hicks 63), William Goodall (Liam Davies 54), Scott Griffiths, Daniel Coe, Chris Davies (Liam Parr 85), Ashley Mathias, Luke Hart, Danny Raicu, Sam Davies, Ryan Wilson, Chris Thompson.

Referee: Jonathan Twigg.

In the night's other Division One games, Hakin United won 3-0 at home to Narberth with goals from Nicky Woodrow, Ben Steele and Ashley Bevan. Goodwick United came back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at Herbie - with a Shane Walsh hat trick not enough for the home side as Scott Delaney, Jac Pepper, Wayne O'Sullivan and Johnny Horgan helped the Phoenix Boys home. Pennar Robins beat visitors Merlins Bridge 2-1 - with Neil Hughes and Patrick McDonagh striking for Pennar and Alan Price scoring for Bridge.