BICESTER Town moved up to second in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 East table as late goals saw them win 3-1 at home to Rayners Lane, writes Tom St John.

Leo Brooks fired the hosts in front at Ardley United’s Playing Fields, but after Danny Bone missed a penalty, Rayners Lane levelled on the stroke of half-time.

Bicester, who had struck late to win 3-2 at Chalfont Wasps in their previous game, finished strongly again and took maximum points with goals from Chris Johnson and Aaron Monk.

Eddie Nix, Town’s joint manager, said: “This was a very hard and well deserved victory from our players.

“We had important players (Gavin Kidd and Adam Garner) missing, but the players that have come in to replace them have done very well.”

Bicester’s high-tempo start was rewarded within eight minutes, when Brooks opened the scoring from a Murray Nichols corner.

Lane were under pressure and conceded a penalty when Rob Johnson was fouled making a strong run in to the box.

But Bone’s effort hit a post and on 43 minutes it was punished when the visitors equalised.

It remained level until 15 minutes from time, when another Nichols corner was flicked on by Bone for Johnson to head home.

Town goalkeeper Ryan Watt made a fine save to keep out Freddie Newman, before Monk made the game safe in the 90th minute with a chipped finish from Nichols’s pass.

Meanwhile, Nix also put out a call for anyone interested in volunteering to contact him.

He said: “We are looking for more help – anybody that would like to join the committee is more than welcome, or people to help out on match days.”

Bicester visit Henley Town on Saturday.