Amy McLean’s 97th-minute equaliser secured the Town Ladies a point against AFC Sudbury last weekend.

The Town started on the front foot. Last Sunday’s goalscorer, Shianne Swarres, saw her long-range attempt bobble wide of Peachy’s post.

Despite early pressure from the Hatters, it was the visitors who took the lead with seven minutes played. Kaci-Jay Bonwick found herself in behind the Town defence and slotted past Nicole Melling.

The Hatters weren’t to be kept behind for long. Fiona Buttigieg picked up the ball in space out on the left-hand side and delivered a pinpoint delivery into the area for Tasha Fensome, who powerfully headed past Peachy, for her eighth league goal of the season.

Buttigieg was enjoying a lot of free space in the opening stages and she delivered another ball into the area this time for Elizabeth Mulvaney who could only head over.

With 25 minutes on the clock, the Hatters took the lead. Lisa Milliken’s free-kick delivery into Courtnay Ward-Chambers was collected superbly on the turn by the forward who steadied herself before firing the ball into the far-right corner – her first goal for the club since returning in December.

With minutes of normal time at the end of the first half remaining, Sudbury struck level. A free-kick struck to perfection by Amy-Leigh Abrehart flew into the top left corner out of Melling’s reach.

The Town were then dealt another blow deep into added time when Abrehart capitalised on a defensive mix-up to give the Suds a 3-2 lead heading into the break.

After a slow start to the second half, Myles Maddix looked to the bench. Amber Leighton was called into action replacing Leyah Maddix.

With 15 minutes remaining the Hatters were still struggling to test Sudbury’s Peachy. Amy McLean and Emily Wilson were the next pair to be introduced, replacing Courtnay Ward-Chambers and Jànaye Beaufort.

A late challenge from a Sudbury defender led to a Luton free-kick right on the edge of the visitors’ area. Buttigieg stood over it but was unable to generate the power needed to beat Peachy.

However, in the seventh minute of additional time at the end of the 90, McLean’s composed finish salvaged a point for the Town, who now go four unbeaten across all competitions.

A disappointed Maddix said afterwards: “I think we lacked desire. We lacked the passion and heart that we usually carry with us through every game.

“We’ve had a look at ourselves, since September and October time we had a rough run, but then figured ourselves out. We weren’t fortunate enough to pick up points in every single game, but we competed. We are at this stage in the season now, where we could have done more.

“To go in 3-2 down was a bit of a shock, we dominated the second half a little bit more, but didn’t put the ball in the back of the net. Then towards the end, I did what any coach would do chasing a game, get the forwards on and we were fortunate enough to get something from the game. Disappointed is definitely the word.”

Town XI: Melling, Lewis, Swarres, Tambula, Fensome, Mulvaney, Maddix, Buttigieg, Milliken, Ward-Chambers, Beaufort.

Subs not used: Hudson, Blacksley, Dickens.

Report: Owen Williams Photos: Duncan Jack