Church registered a vital point in their fight to climb back up the table; coming from behind again to draw level at the death in a deserved comeback.

At times the game had the feel of a basketball game as the action swung from end to end, with the visiting forward Akanbi proving to be a particular handful throughout.

Six minutes in and a looping effort from Forde almost catches Evans out, but the back pedalling keeper claws the ball out from under the bar to concede a corner. The ball comes across from the corner and Evans confidently punches clear to release Ngandu from deep in his own half, giving him the opportunity to feed Whyte-Hall, and receive the ball back before a rasping shot is beaten away by keeper Hayton.

Overall it is a bright start from Church, and on 12 minutes Ilesanmi is through on goal, and tips the ball past the advancing Hayton, but a touch wide of being able to get off a shot into an empty net and a retreating defender recovers well to slide in and divert the ball out for a corner.

But the visitors take the lead, somewhat against the run of play, after 29 minutes. Akanbi proves to be too quick and too strong for Bavanganga who is attempting to play the ball facing his own goal, and the Bishop's Stortford man catches him in possession, gets the ball out of his feet, and finishes with aplomb from the edge of the box.

Church are controlling possession, but failing to break through, although there are moments ; one particularly on 45 minutes when Ngandu is slipped through with a slide rule pass, and he strikes on target on the run, only for Hayton to again beat the ball away to safety.

Half Time: Alvechurch 0 Bishop's Stortford 1

The second half is a much more productive one for Church, and they dominate possession as they go in search of the equaliser.
On 55 minutes, Sephton wins possession, wide left, and drills the ball into the six yard box, Hayton parries the ball straight out to Dugan on the edge of the box, but the Church substitute drills his first time shot straight back at the prostrate keeper who this time is able to gather.

The visitors' threat on the break is still evident, and on 61 Evans is forced into an excellent one handed save to deny Dasilva from the edge of the box. Four minutes later Dugmore curls a delicious cross to the back post, finding the onrushing Wakefield, but the Church man gets too much on the ball, and it flies off target from close in.

At the other end, a brief heart in mouth moment for Church as a header from a free kick is cleared off the Church line. Some good chances at both ends, but surprisingly just that one first half goal to show for it.

Stoppage time brings more drama. Three minutes in Dugan connects with a Ngandu free kick , but Hayton drops on the ball right on his line to keep it out of the net.
Five minutes in, and the pressure finally pays off. Dugmore again curls an inviting ball into the heart of the box, and Jez Abbey is well positioned to steer his header in from close range to deservedly bring Church level.
Still time for a heart stopping moment at the other end - in the 8th minute of the minimum 5 added on, Evans blocks well to deny Akanbi, and Dugmore skews the resulting near post corner over his own bar!

The point takes Church six points above Sudbury, who occupy the final relegation place, with a game in hand.
Church play 21st placed Stamford at the weekend in a game where three points are a must to continue the move up the table.