SLOUGH Town FC joint boss Jon Underwood believes his side have been short of luck in their recent attempts to return to the play-off positions.

The Rebels put together a five-match unbeaten run in November, but injuries and suspensions dented their chances of challenging for top spot the following month.

They showed signs of a revival during a Red Insure Cup defeat at rivals Burnham last week, but lost further ground in the race for promotion with a 2-2 draw at Marlow on Saturday.

After taking a first-minute lead, Slough fell victim to a cruel bobble on the Oak Tree Road pitch, then conceded a harsh penalty on the stroke of half-time.

However, buoyed the return of key players and the introduction of new signings, the Rebels hit back to secure a point and arrest a recent slump in form, if not results.

“You feel a little hard done by considering the goals we conceded,” Underwood told the Observer.

“I’m disappointed not to win but really pleased with the performance of the players.

“It’s a bit of the same old story in terms of one or two things not going our way, but I find myself saying that a bit too often.” Slough made four changes to the side that suffered penalty shootout heartache against Burnham, including handing a debut to on-loan keeper Max Oberschmidt.

And they got off to the perfect start with a goal in the first minute. Warren Harris took advantage of the ball holding up on the heavy turf to round Simon Grant and finish into the empty net.

Marlow equalised in fortuitous circumstances when a Dave Woozley backpass bobbled over the foot of Oberschmidt as he attempted to clear and went into the net on 29 minutes.

Harris thought he had restored Slough’s lead when lifting the ball over Grant from the angle of the penalty area, but his shot bounced onto the crossbar and was cleared to safety.

The hosts were gifted the opportunity to take the lead on the stroke of half-time as Ian Davies was adjudged to have been hauled back inside the box by Woozley.

Michael Bartley remained cool and swept the resulting spot-kick just past the reach of Oberschmidt.

Undeterred, the Rebels came out fighting in the second half and equalised on 55 minutes when Johnnie Dyer raced on to a pass from Jamie McClurg and placed the ball across Grant.

Both teams had chances to win the game late on, the best of those falling to Marlow substitute Jon Bennett, who saw a fierce strike from distance cannon back off the crossbar.

“It was a wet pitch that was difficult to play on but I thought it was a really good game,” Underwood continued.

“We got off to a great start and thought things were under control and starting to go our way.

“The first goal we conceded is probably one you see once or twice every couple of seasons, a complete freak.

“And it was never a penalty in a million years. I wasn’t concerned at the coming together, so couldn’t believe it. Ian said that himself in the bar afterwards.

“But the lads had a go after half-time and we had a couple of chances toward the end, but Marlow also hit the bar.” Slough, now three points outside the play-offs, welcome Chalfont St Peter to Holloways Park this Saturday (3pm ko).

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