The village side bounced back from having skipper John Heffer sent off after what they considered to be a clear case of mistaken identity to earn a point in an entertaining clash with one of the Ryman League Second Division pacesetters.

Heffer, booked along with Hemel Hempstead Town's Richard McDonagh after a 40th minute clash, was incensed when shown a second yellow, and therefore being banished from the field, four minutes later.

Wakering, and the player himself, were adamant that the alleged offence had been committed by a team-mate and Rovers are likely to appeal to not only clear Heffer's name but also save him from a one-match ban.

Many expected Heffer's departure to mean that Rovers would struggle, but they gathered their resources to dominate all but the middle section of the second-half.

Much-travelled seasoned campaigner Dennis Greene blazed over when set up by Marcelle Bruce after 15 minutes, but went much closer five minutes later when, after combining well with Tony Kelly, he forced Wakering man-of-the match Danny Scopes to clear off the line.

Rovers' Jimmy Ablitt was perhaps lucky to escape a caution for a bad foul on Vince Somers and, 60 seconds later, the home side had to substitute the unwell Luke Purcell with Neville Hickton.

Despite Heffer's departure, Wakering's ten men raised their game after the interval and there were chances at both ends.

Veteran Rovers' striker Paul Flack, who had substituted for Tommy Dalgarno, volleyed just over and, a minute later, McDonagh grazed the bar with a fierce strike.

In the closing stages Rovers attacked with real venom with Ollie Evans launching a collection of good attacks with his exciting probing forays down the right.

Sadly, the need to strengthen the Burroughs Park striking force was again evident as Rovers failed to find the target. But this was still a pleasing performance from Eddie Nash's men with one-time Billericay Town defender Steve Mosely, now in the autumn of a superb non-league career, enjoying a sound debut in defence where Micky Munro also excelled on his return from injury.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.