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Whyteleafe came away from Imber Court with a much needed point after an impressive display against the high-flying Met. With the highly experienced Andrew Martin suspended Ryan Gray was restored to the starting XI whilst young keeper Gavin Dilley was preferred over Rob O'Hara who was struggling with a back problem.
The visitors dominated the first half with Mark Hammond busy on the right wing and his cross on ten minutes was met by the head of Gray forcing keeper Will Packham to gather. Shortly after a similar cross was headed goalwards by Sean Rivers, Packham turning the ball smartly round his post. From the resultant corner Jason Goodchild sent a fierce drive from 25 yards just over the bar. As Leafe continued to press Rivers was again denied by Packham on 34 minutes and then Callum MacLean headed just over as Hammond supplied more ammunition.
After the break a more even contest ensued, although Leafe had the early chances with Gray heading a Goodchild cross at the keeper, before Rivers was put through one on one with Packham. He chipped the advancing keeper, but also the crossbar.
In the 70th minute Dilley pulled off a fine point blank save from a Drewett header and five minutes later made a full stretch dive low to his right to push a rasping drive from 25 yards away for a corner. As the hosts pressed for a winner Dilley bravely blocked a Byatt shot before substitute Jamie Forrester fired the rebound wide when well placed to do better.
'Leafe survived the late pressure and five minutes of added time, mainly due to a shoulder injury to the hugely influential MacLean, to take a well deserved point that eases their relegation fears.
Whyteleafe: Dilley, Hudson, Harney, MacLean (Aldous 88), Broomhead, Goodchild, Conroy, Smith, Hammond (Williams 80), Rivers, Gray (Sikuade 85). Subs not used: Massey, O'Hara.