The Tractor Girls were unable to close the gap on the top two as they registered their first draw of the season with a last-minute equaliser from top scorer Natasha Thomas in a 2-2 thriller at Billericay this afternoon.
Town had the first opportunity of the game as Thomas fired over from close range.
Billericay came close to taking the lead in the 19th minute, as the ball fell to former Town striker, Maddie Biggs, whose shot hit the crossbar, and Town were able to clear to safety.
In the 34th minute, it was the turn of Town to hit the crossbar, as newly appointed captain Maria Boswell's free-kick delivery found Bonnie Horwood, whose hooked shot rattled the woodwork.
Lenna Gunning-Williams had the ball in the back on the 40-minute mark, but the linesman deemed her to have strayed offside.
The first goal of the game came the way of the Tractor Girls, deservedly so, as the Billericay keeper could only parry the ball away from a corner, falling to Horwood, who smashed the ball into the roof of the net.
Within seconds of the restart, the Tractor Girls almost extended their lead as the Billericay defence stalled, allowing Sophie Peskett to pounce on the ball, but it was met with a fantastic save by Smith, who injured herself in the process.
Town kept pushing for a second, with both Thomas and Peskett coming close with efforts but no major opportunities fell for Joe Sheehan's side.
Billericay equalised in the 69th minute, as good passing play saw them progress up the pitch, with the ball eventually finding Soraya Walsh who finished to Laura Hartley's right.
Town went behind in the 80th minute as too many Town players flooded forward, leaving just two at the back who were unable to stop Ruby Sealey from putting the ball into the back of the net.
A shot from substitute Nia Evans was the closest Town came in the second half.
That is until the 95th minute, as top scorer Thomas equalised, bundling the ball into the back of the net.
Town return to FA Cup action next week, as Championship side Lewes visit the AGL Arena in the third round.
Town Starting XI: Hartley, Barker (Williams,80), Boswell (C), Wearing (Mitchell,80), Hughes, Horwood (Evans,90), Robertson, Peskett, O'Brien (Turner,80), Gunning-Williams (Doe,70), Thomas
Subs: Mitchell, Williams, Evans, Doe, Turner
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