Late Hopley double rescues Seagulls

TWO late goals from Rob Hopley, including one in the second minute of added time, rescued a 2-2 draw for Colwyn Bay against Chasetown in the FA Trophy and set up a Tuesday night replay in the midlands.
They looked to be heading for a third successive defeat after giving away a gift opening goal to the visitors and then missing a second half penalty.
But manager Neil Young praised his side's willingness to keep battling.
"What pleased me most was our attitude. We kept going and never gave up, and overall I thought we were the better side and deserved to get a second chance at them," he said afterwards.
"We will go there on Tuesday and have another good go.
"I thought Challinor and Branch were awsome in the middle of the back four for us and Dean Canning probably had his best game in midfield.
"I know we are are getting a lot of crictism at the moment, but I have said all along it will take time for the new players to get to know each other and settle in. We need a bit longer for that to happen and I'm expecting to bring in another new player next week which will hopefully help things along.
"All I can ask for in the meantime is that the players give me 100 per cent and I got that today and result has given everybody a lift. The atmosphere in the dressing room is upbeat and good - apart from Blacky's choice of music!"
Colwyn Bay started well with Hopley testing the keeper early on and Neil Black and Dean Canning both narrowly off target with a shot and a header.
Hopley also had a shot deflected over the bar, but on 21 minutes Chasetown were gift-wrapped the lead when Matt Parry dropped the ball as he went to catch a free kick into the goalmouth, and Gary Birch gratefully fired into the net from close range.
That knocked the wind ouf Bay's sails as Chasetown dominated the rest of the half, with Birch heading a good chance wide at the far post.
It took Chasetown just 63 seconds into the second half to go 2-0 up when substitute Danny Smith volleyed in a cross from right back John Branch.
There seemed no way back for the Bay after that with Matt Parry making a fine diving save to turn another shot from Smith for a corner.
The Seagulls were then presented with a great chance to get back in the game on 64 minutes with a penalty for a handball by Chasetown skipper Adie Smith from a Neil Black cross, but keeper Ryan Price dived to his right to keep out Rob Hopley's spot kick.
Parry made two more good saves from Craig Holland and Mark Branch, but Colwyn Bay were starting to have much more of the ball without creating too much in the way of chances.
But in a dramatic finale, Matty Woods crossed from the left for Hopley to score with a stooping header on 84 minutes, and two minutes into the three minutes of added time at the end, Hopley rose to head the equaliser from Canning's corner.
Tuesday's replay is a 7.45pm kick off.
Colwyn Bay: Parry, Coverley (Mitchell 78 mins), Wood, Branch, Challinor, Hughes, Canning, Lycett, Black, Hopley, O'Mahoney (Edwards 53 mins). Subs noit used: Brandreth and Jackson.
Attendance: 268.