When Nick Espiritu thrashed the ball into the Sentinels net from 17 yards out in the 9th minute, it looked like the cycle of slow starts for Lokomotiv was broken.

But with the most composed of defensive performances, it wasn’t to be as the 6 forwards couldn’t finish a packet of crisps or a cocktail sausage never mind the most generous silver platter of sitters ever presented to The Railwaymen.  Sick Jon Maghen and upto-his-eyeballs-in-work Chris Adams both absent, it was a bit mix and match at the back, but Chris Rogers had his best performance ever at the back, and Roddy Jessup was the epitome of no nonsense clearance.  In the middle Ronny Mikkelsen and I toiled away, and nothing was coming through today.

Skirmish after skirmish produced incredible chances, but Chris Juhlin uncharacteristically flubbed a couple and the graceful Sep Foroutani was flagged offside all night, while the lone goal was Nick’s only return for all the speed and industry. The Sentinels nibbled of course, and after a few slapstick moments one of theirs was sent off – but the other bad boy took up residence in Benny’s head and successfully took our lad out of the game with the 25c psychology.

Some swinging crosses from Mike Krogmann came to nought, and it was the quickly deteriorating referee performance that cast the final punch. Wailing on the ground after he was dispossessed expertly by a combination of Chris Ro and Ronny M the Sentinel’s whiner won himself a penalty – which though Marc got a good hand to it – levelled the game.

Pointers for the future – and solid enough I suppose – but we’ve got to bury the chances lads. Onwards to Friday, weather permitting.