Match report: Stamford AFC draw with Kettering Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central

Jordon Cooke scored a dramatic late equaliser as Stamford salvaged a point with an injury-time leveller in their clash with promotion rivals Kettering Town on Saturday.

The Daniels defender headed home the goal to force a 1-1 draw in the 10th minute of stoppage time in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash.

Aaron Powell had earlier put Kettering ahead before Stamford's late leveller kept their promotion dream alive in front of their biggest crowd of the season at the Zeeco Stadium as more than 1,230 fans turned out.

Stamford had made three changes to their starting line-up following the 4-0 away defeat at Bedford last weekend.

Connor Bartle, Tendai Chitiza and George Hobbins all came into the team with Elliott Durrell, Kai Tonge and Stacey Freeman missing out.

Kettering handed a debut to new striking recruit Jamar Loza following his arrival from Leiston while former Newcastle United frontman Nile Ranger was on the substitutes' bench.

Loza was lively in the opening period and led an early Poppies raid which saw his cross cleared by the head of Bartle with Johnny Edwards waiting to pounce.

Jack Duffy got in a good position for Stamford but was unable to pick out a team-mate with his cross while Wes York headed wide for the visitors from Powell's cross.

It was Powell who then struck the opening goal in the 14th minute as he was teed up by Loza before weaving his way into space and drilling home a low finish into the Stamford net.

Stamford hit back by peppering the Kettering goal but, despite a series of set pieces and long throws, failed to seriously test visiting custodian Danny Jezeph.

Duffy and James Blunden both headed over from Bartle's long throws into the penalty area while home goalkeeper Tom Jackson had to rush to the edge of his box to block an effort from York.

Loza had a late chance in the first half for the visitors but the Stamford defence scrambled back to avert the danger.

Stamford started the second half by having plenty of possession but again nothing materialised in front of goal in the opening exchanges.

Sam Mclintock flashed a shot wide for the visitors before Stamford made four changes in a bid to freshen up their push for an equaliser.

Ben Isaacson saw a dangerous cross superbly cleared by Ben Hart before their best chance came with 13 minutes remaining when Tonge won possession and released Duffy whose shot was palmed away by Jezeph with Tonge unable to turn home the rebound with the goal gaping.

It looked like proving to be Stamford's last opportunity to grab an equaliser as the game headed into six minutes of stoppage time.

A collision between Tonge and Jezeph forced that to be extended where Stamford forced one final corner.

Billy Bennett delivered the set piece to the back where Cooke rose highest to head home his first goal of the season.

It sparked wild celebrations among the Stamford players and supporters as the final whistle sounded moments after Kettering had restarted the game from the kick-off.

The draw keeps Stamford firmly in the play-off picture as they remain tied on points with Harborough and Stratford in the race for fifth place.

Stamford: Jackson, Isaacson, Bartle (Bennett), Offler (Tonge), Cooke, Blunden, Chitiza (Durrell), Hobbins, Duffy, Shaw (Varela), Liversidge (Challinor). Attendance: 1,237.