The Bucks were denied by a late, late leveller at Latimer Park, as Kettering snatched a point at the death.

The first half was a cagey affair with few chances for either side. In fact, the only real chance of note from open play came in the 11th minute, when former Buck Sam McLintock hit the bar for hosts.

Although there were few chances, the Poppies probably shaded proceedings. However, it was the Bucks who would head into half time with the lead. Harry Hawkins was brought down in the box, and Matty Stenson confidentally tucked home the resultant penalty to give the Bucks the lead in added time. 1-0 to the Bucks at the break.

Boosted by the goal, the Bucks started the second half well and were causing Kettering considerably more problems than in the first period. Wilkin’s men should have made it two in the 61st minute, when good work from Stenson found Ola Lawal in a great position in the Poppies box, but the Bucks number ten blasted his shot over the bar.

Without that second goal, Kettering were still well in the game, and Finley Wilkinson might have done better with the opportunity that fell his way in the 74th minute, but the Barnet loanee fired well over.

The Bucks were showing great composure though, limiting the Poppies to very while looking to hit the hosts the break. Indeed, both Jimmy Armson and Stenson nearly scored on the counter, but the post and some fantastic defending by Connor Johnson kept Town in the game.

And the Bucks were made to pay for not putting the game to bed when Kettering levelled out of nothing at the death. A ball through the Bucks defence found Kai Fifield, who smashed it home past Brandon Hall to level the scores at 1-1 with all but the last kick of the game.

The Bucks should have won comfortably, but Kettering hung in the game and found an answer to keep things interesting at the top.