Waltham Abbey blew a two-goal lead but still managed to secure a point in a 3-3 thriller at home to Marlow in the Bostik League South Central Division.

Louis Bowen and Billy Holland put Abbey two goals up early on, but Marlow hit back and led 3-2 at the break before Darelle Russell equalised in the last minute.

Last week’s defeat at lowly Molesey threatened to put a damper on this game, but when Bowen struck early on to hand Abbey the advantage it never looked like another poor result was on its way.

Holland doubled the lead two minutes later, but Marlow instantly hit back and looked far more threatening as the half wore on.

Jordan Edwards’ equaliser on 38 minutes and a strike from Isaac Osei-Tutu just before the break saw Abbey pay the price for getting comfortable in the game and Marlow went into the break ahead.

With goalscorers Edwards and Osei-Tutu both subbed off Abbey could have felt they had a chance, but that seemed to disappear when Sammy Knott was dismissed with eight minutes to play.

However, Darelle Russell popped up with the equaliser in injury time to keep Abbey in a good position ahead of their visit to champions Hayes & Yeading United this Saturday.