Rocks Review: Rocks 2 Ramsgate 2

Keen to return to winning ways after Monday’s loss at Whitehawk, the Rocks looked on course to seal victory when James Crane and Ashley Robinson put them firmly in control.

However, two second-half goals from the visitors - including an injury-time equaliser - ruined their day as the points were shared.

Bognor gave a debuts to new signings Sonny Cobbs and striker Robinson, while there was a place on the bench for a third new-boy, Ryan Thomson.

In the sixth minute, the Rocks took the lead with their first attack of the game.

A neat passing move saw Ben Johnson fed the ball to Crane, who stroked the ball home from 15 yards.

The lead was almost doubled soon afterwards but Danny Twyman saved bravely at the feet of the onrushing Johnson.

Kane Wills found himself in space but his drive from 18 yards flew just over.

On 25 minutes, Ramsgate defender Ben Laslett was adjudged to have handled just outside the area, and from the resulting free-kick, Johnson’s curling effort was destined for the top corner, only for Twyman to tip around the post.

The Rocks went close again – first when Terry Dodd was put through, but with just the keeper to beat, he couldn’t hit the target and then when debutant Ashley Robinson chipped the keeper from an angle but the ball bounced just wide.

Back came Ramsgate, though, and Dean Grant’s cross looped over Craig Stoner in the Rocks goal and came back off the post, before eventually being scrambled clear.

At the other end, Steve Harper should have done better when presented with a free header, but he failed to hit the target.

However, on the stroke of half-time, Robinson made no mistake when he doubled the advantage when he fired home from ten yards.

Four minutes into the second half, Ramsgate halved the deficit when Laslett’s long-range drive took a slight deflection on its way into the corner.

In the 68th minute, the Rocks went close when some neat footwork from Robinson saw his powerful drive fly inches wide.

Bognor’s hope of earning their first win of 2012 were dashed in the dying seconds, though.

With the visitors sensing a weakness in the home defence, Joe Taylor slotted home from six yards to give Ramsgate a share of the spoils.

It sets up next week’s trip to Dulwich Hamlet - who moved back into second place with a win at Eastbourne - beautifully.

ROCKS: Stoner, Crane, Cobbs, Axten, Breach, Wills, Beck, Harper, Johnson, Dodd, Robinson.

ROB GARFORTH