The Reds stretched their unbeaten run in the league to five games with a hard-fought point away to FC United of Manchester. Back-to-back trips to Greater Manchester on Tuesday evenings have seen Quorn pick up draws in tough midweek tests after a 2-2 draw at Hyde United two weeks previous.
The game started promisingly for the Methodists, dominating the opening quarter of an hour and going agonisingly close when Terell Pennant got in behind and beat the keeper, only to see his shot edge narrowly wide in what felt like slow-motion for the small band of travelling fans.
Mere moments later, veteran striker Adam Le Fondre poked the opening goal past Jake Laban, but controversy ruled as a second ball was on the pitch in the corner where the cross came from, however, the officials didn’t stop the match and the Assistant removed the ball during the celebrations. FC United grew in confidence from there and should have added a second, but missed a gilt-edged opportunity to double their lead shortly afterwards as a cross flashed in front of the Quorn goal but the opportunity was wasted as Niall Watson lashed wide.
Jesse Friend thought he had brought the sides level before half-time, racing through and lobbing Daniel Atherton in the Red Rebels’ goal, only to see his effort drop millimetres wide of the same right-hand post as Pennant’s earlier effort.
Billy Kee headed narrowly wide as Quorn looked to take the game to United early in the second half. Finlay Tunstall had provided the cross for Kee, and swung another delightful ball into the box shortly afterwards, this time Friend arrived and slid his effort into the bottom corner. The Notts County loanee, who extended his deal to the end of 2026, scored his third goal in two games, and eighth of the season to drag the Reds level.
Pennant had a couple more opportunities, but Atherton produced excellent saves to deny the former Leicester City man. Friend and Pennant linked up to produce a couple more chances but again Atherton was able to deny a Reds side that was now in full-flow.
As the game drew towards a dramatic conclusion, Quorn felt aggrieved once more, as Pennant latched onto a Ryan Beswick through ball, shooting into the bottom corner in the 89th minute, only to see the flag raised by the Assistant Referee. The Reds players argued the case, feeling that Pennant was played on by three defenders, but the pleas fell on deaf ears.
There was still more controversy to follow as into stoppage time Pennant was brought down inside the box, but the penalty appeals were waved away with the match finishing all square.
