Bideford left frustrated after squandering two goal lead in Devon Derby

A dramatic stoppage-time penalty from Jack Crago rescued a precious point for Tavistock in a Devon derby at the Sports Ground, as Bideford surrendered a commanding two-goal lead in the Southern League Division One South.

The hosts started brightly and threatened early, with Finn Roberts at the heart of much of Bideford’s attacking intent. 

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After a competitive opening featuring plenty of aerial exchanges, the breakthrough arrived in the 20th minute. 

Roberts burst through on the left and saw his effort parried by Lambs keeper Arthur into the roof of his own net to make it 1-0 to the hosts.

The forward was inches away from doubling the lead on 34 minutes when he unleashed a fierce strike that crashed back off the crossbar with the Tavistock defence beaten.

Tavistock sought a route back into the contest, with Ryan White, Jack Crago and Calum Merrin linking up in promising positions, but clear-cut chances were limited and Bideford continued to press.

On the stroke of half-time the Robins struck again. Captain Alex Byrne was upended inside the box in stoppage time and the referee pointed to the spot. 

Roberts stepped up and emphatically smashed home the penalty for his second of the day and to send Bideford into the interval 2-0 to the good.

Tavistock emerged with greater urgency after the restart. Tom Chastey fired wide early in the second period, while Roberts volleyed narrowly off target at the other end as the game opened up.

The visitors were handed a warning on 65 minutes when Merrin was denied by a superb block right in front of goal. 

Moments later Crago raced clear down the right and squared dangerously across the face, only for Bideford goalkeeper Semmens to intervene before Merrin could apply the finish.

The pressure told in the 71st minute. A corner was flicked on at the near post by Crago and Merrin reacted quickest to bury his effort from close range, halving the deficit and shifting the momentum firmly in Tavistock’s favour.

Suddenly Bideford looked vulnerable. Javan Wright spurned a good opportunity when opting to square rather than shoot, while Roberts saw a free-kick almost turned into his own net by a defender before Oliver Gardner headed the resulting corner over.

As the clock ticked down, both sides had chances. Charlie Wright steered an effort wide for Bideford on 88 minutes, a miss that would prove costly.

Four minutes of added time were signalled and deep into stoppage time Tavistock were awarded a lifeline. 

Kian Burch was brought down in the box after rounding keeper Shaun Semmens, leaving the referee with little hesitation in awarding a penalty.

Up stepped Tavi talisman Crago in the 94th minute. The forward kept his nerve to bury the spot-kick and bring a sense of relief among the Lambs bench and travelling support as Tavistock completed their comeback.

It was a bitter blow for Bideford, who had appeared comfortable for long periods but were unable to see the game out. 

For Tavistock, rooted to the foot of the table, it marked the end of a run of 12 defeats in a row, and could yet prove a valuable point in their battle to close the gap on the teams above.

Tavistock AFC manager Stuart Henderson and goal-scorer Jack Crago echoed the sentiment of ‘stopping the rot’ in their post-match interviews, both equally as relieved as each other to come away from North Devon with a point.

In the Southern League Division One South standings, Bideford sit 14th with 30 points from 28 matches, while Tavistock stay 22nd with 11 points from 25 games.

Tavistock are back in action on Wednesday (18 February) night when they host ninth-placed Larkhall Athletic at Langsford. 

Bideford AFC return to action at home next Saturday (21 February) with a tough test against third-placed Portishead Town.