A late penalty from Jamie Laidlaw grabbed Chichester City United a point against Whitehawk that they hardly deserved on the balance of play.

The Hawks came into the match on the back of a nine match unbeaten run that included eight victories and gave early notice of their intentions as Tommy Pattenden shot over the bar from 15 yards out in their first attack.

The Chi defence was under almost constant first half pressure with 'keeper Ben O'Connor continuing his recent good form with saves from Terry Cooper and from Simon Rowlands. And when O'Connor was beaten the upright twice came to Chi's aid in the space of as many minutes as Dean Venton and then Cooper rattled the woodwork.

Chi's sorties upfield were all too few and far between and apart from one snapshot from Laidlaw that Ades in the Whitehawk goal saved at full stretch there was little to show from the home forwards as their midfield and defence were forced to work overtime.

A combination of resolute defending and a bit of luck kept the scoresheet blank at half time but that luck deserted Chi ten minutes after the break. Cooper twisted and turned to create a shooting chance on the edge of the penalty area and eventually half struck the ball through a wrong-footed defence and in off the post to give his side the advantage.

Chi now pushed forward for an equaliser but were still indebted to O'Connor for another good save from Cooper to keep them in the hunt.

An injury to referee Ian Jeffrey then caused a lengthy delay before senior assistant, Paul Murphy, took over to officiate over a controversial final twenty minutes.

Chi substitute Neil Murfin had clipped the Whitehawk crossbar but the home side drew level with just eight minutes remaining when Roger Moore was sent crashing in the penalty area by a clumsy challenge to give Laidlaw the chance to level from the penalty spot.

This was bad enough for Whitehawk but tempers spilled over when Pattenden was penalised for a collision with O'Connor that left the Chi keeper hobbling badly but the visiting striker in a position to go on and score.

In the final minute Laidlaw headed over the crossbar but Whitehawk will be kicking themselves that they let the three points get away in a game they often dominated but couldn't exploit. CCU: O'Connor;Belsen,Fitt,Stephens,Hitchman,Hazelgrove,Angell,Smith, Moore,Laidlaw,Butlin. Subs; Brockway,Murfin & Haines.

Report written by Trevor Wallis for the Chichester Observer

Team: O'Connor, Belson, Fitt, Stephens, Hitchman, Hazelgrove, Angell, Smith, Moore, Laidlaw, Butlin
Subs: Brockway, Murfin, Haines
Scorers: Laidlaw