Hunnings' mishit seals another 3 points for the Clarets

Cooks side that always gives a resolute, determined performance and so it was to be as Deeping did not reach the same levels as the previous game and played the last quarter of the game with 10 men.

Rangers saw an early chance as Luke Andersen’s cross picked out Cameron Johnson at the far stick, a touch and shot looked to be net bound but the very fine defending from Alex Lowery on the goal line.

Cogenhoe utilised the long throw in of Curtis Avery to good affect at every opportunity (although if the officials had been alert then every one should have been ruled out for a raised foot that enables such a trajectory to be achieved) and a couple had the Deeping defence working hard to repel.

Deeping took the lead on 13 mins, Andersen crossed from the goal line to see Johnson arrive, his glancing header going in off of the far post.

A Cooks corner saw Luke Hunnings head clear, Dan Schiavi collected mid field to advance before releasing Johnson wide, his pulled back picked out Dan Jarvis to fire his shot wide of the far post, Jarvis and Johnson exchanged passes on the edge of the box allowing Jarvis to shoot from just inside the box bringing a fine save from custodian Lee Baxter.

The visitors levelled on 27 min, another Avery long throw caused trouble in the Deeping box where Matthew Slinn struck a fine volley into the far corner giving home keeper Lewis Elsom little chance.

The Clarets were close when Johnson pounce on a loose ball to advance into the Cooks box, as Baxter closed him down he saw his effort bobble wide of the post, Scott Mooney collected on half way, a good switch of direction sent Dan Flack, he supplied Johnson to drive for goal that looked to bring a fine finger tip save from Baxter onto the corner of the goal frame but the official did not agree.

Baxter was called into action again as Mooney controlled well and tried his luck from 30 yard – the keeper making an easy save.

With half time approaching Tom Iaciofano was in behind the home back line, his shot to the near post only into the side netting.

Half-time: Deeping Rangers 1 Cogenhoe United 1

The second half was scrappier, but the home side had several half chances that saw Johnson, Jarvis and Henry Dunn fail to make keeper Baxter work.

Cogenhoe were given a free kick 20 yards out following David Burton-Jones’ challenge on Slinn, Slinn’s free kick only managed to hit the wall and was cleare

Rangers were reduced to 10 men on 63 mins, Montel Dore cut inside and looked to heading into a couple of other Rangers players as Flack’s challenge clipped him – to cap Referee Cameron Smith’s poor performance he produced a red card.

The free kick from Iaciofano was straight at Elsom so the chance was lost.

Despite having a man less the home side were still looking for the winner, Charlie Coulson latched onto a loose ball for just outside of the box to fizz a shot just over the bar.

Cooks sub Connor l’Anson sent Dore towards the home goal, Burton-Jones made a good challenge to halt, the ball falling to Slinn whose first time attempt lacked the power to beat Elsom.

With additional time being played Elsom hit a deep free kick from his half, the visitors defence failed to clear and the ball sat up for Hunnings to try an overhead kick, thankfully he caught it badly but enough for the ball to loop over Baxter and drop over the line on 90+2 minutes to give the Clarets another 3 points.

A second time this season that Rangers had claimed a victory over the cooks in additional time in tight games – three points that saw a four point gap to third placed Rugby.

Full time: Deeping Rangers 2 Cogenhoe United 1

Match Ball SPonsor – DRFC President Dave Papworth

DRFC man of the Match – Cameron Johnson

Attendance – 103

Deeping Rangers: 1. Lewis Elsom, 2. Dan Flack, 3. Luke Andersen 4. David Burton-Jones © 5. Luke Hunnings 6. Dan Jarvis, 7. Henry Dunn (12. Michael Simpson – 76), 8. Charlie Coulson, 9. Scott Mooney (14. Abduramane Sani – 60), 10. Dan Schiavi 11. Cameron Johnson
Subs not used; 15. Tyler Walker, 16. Jack Marsden, 17. Dan Bircham.

Cogenhoe United: 1. Lee Baxter, 2. Curtis Avery, 3. Liam Tuck, 4. Séan McBride, 5. George Barnell, 6. Alex Lowery, 7. Josh Melling, 8. Matthew Slinn, 9. Matt Long © 10. Montel Dore, 11. Tom Iaciofano (15. Connor I'Anson – 74)
Sub not used; 12. Joe Shanley, 14. Joe Jarvis,
Referee: Cameron Smith.
Assistants: Bruce Stevens and Piotr Juszczyk