RUGBY Borough recovered from FA Vase heartbreak with victory in a 3-2 thriller at Cottesmore in Tuesday night’s Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division clash.
Falling 2-0 down to first-half goals from Eathan Milne and Harry Stannard, a goal from Josh Turton with half an hour remaining brought the visitors back into contention.
With five minutes to go, Shaun Barber curled home his first of the season to bring Borough back onto level terms, clipping the post with his effort from the edge of the area on its way in.
It prompted Rugby to go in search of the winner, which was provided by Tom Rawlings in stoppage time to complete a remarkable comeback.
The win propels Borough into second-place, six points behind leaders Allexton & New Parks, who have played two games more.
Ady Fuller’s side were not quite as inspired in Saturday’s second qualifying round tie at Aylesbury Vale Dynamos, where they suffered a 3-1 defeat – the club’s first of the season.
Keith Mupfururirwa struck inside the first minutes to put Borough on the back foot almost immediately, until Rawlings restored parity with a lobbed effort over goalkeeper James Weatherill.
Mupfururirwa’s second of the afternoon restored the lead before the break, while Abu Khan providing the next goal to finish off Rugby in second-half stoppage time, despite Rawlings and Turton going close to forcing extra time.
Borough next host Hathern at Kilsby Lane in a league encounter on Saturday (3pm).
