Substitute George Ironton was introduced to devastating effect eight minutes from the end of a slog-in-the-mud at Herns Lane as Welwyn Garden City kept their promotion bid on track with a 3-1 win over Oxhey Jets.
The Citizens were clearly struggling on a pitch that resembled a ploughed field towards the end of a stamina-sapping 90 minutes against lowly Oxhey Jets, who belied their 17th place in the table, with this performance.
Having missed a penalty 15 minutes from the end, it looked as if Adam Fisher’s side were going to have to be content with a point, when Ironton was introduced with match-winning effect for the last 10 minutes.
He had an immediate impact, scoring a sensational second a minute after coming on.
The in-form Dan Bond pulled back an inviting cross that Ironton reached 20 yards out and struck ferociously into the roof of the net to give Oxhey keeper Ryan Keeley not a chance.
With seven minutes left, that looked to be the winner but Ironton had other ideas and two minutes into stoppage time, he got on the end of another fine by-line run, this time by WGC new boy Tyler Hatherly, to strike home his second.
But the Citizens really had their work cut out to win this one.
Oxhey began the livelier side and Curtis Donaldson and Gaddiel Ntantu had early chances and they had the ball in the net after 30 minutes, only to see it ruled out for a fractional offside.
And insult was added to injury for the visitors three minutes later when WGC took the lead.
Nick Elliott made a vital interception and played Bond through who put in another inviting cross that Ash Kersey forced in from close range.
But the visitors were level from the penalty spot two minutes from the break after Jay Rolfe fouled Elijah Seymour, John Smith converting.
Charlie May had to make two smart saves to keep Oxhey out but WGC had their chances too.
Paul Marks, in for the unavailable Ben Spaul, rose highest to a left-wing corner and got in a fine downward header but saw it blocked on the line by a pile of Oxhey bodies.
City’s big chance to win it came in from the second spot kick of the day, awarded for a tackle on Josh Bronti, but Jon Clements saw his effort saved by Keeley’s legs.
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