An injury-stricken Logica turned in a gutsy and battling performance to end the high-flying Eagles' 100% record. The table-topping Bald men had won three out of three to lead Division Two by three points, but a sublimely snaffled equaliser from midway through the second half broke that sequence whilst also continuing Logica's promising start to the new campaign.

Despite the buoyant mood within the club engendered by just one narrow defeat all season, faced his first selection headaches this week. Key men in recent weeks such as , the Hattons and , , and were already unavailable, and things got worse when and failed late fitness tests.

In years gone, by the use of 23 players in the first three games would be a clear sign of a struggling team. Now it is very much an indicator of our strength in depth, as evidenced, for example, by the fact that could draft in and to fill the central midfield void. At least had miraculously recovered from last week’s serious knock, and was available for the first time since his World Cup injury.

The same strength in depth was apparent in the glove department. It is a luxury to have two world class keepers vying to start between the sticks, but typically both were unavailable this week. What does do? Call upon the services of another international number one, that’s what, as , veteran of three World Cups, stepped all too briefly into the limelight.

But goalkeepers are an odd breed, we all know that, and despite an early morning wake-up call from the gaffer, rushed out and jumped straight on a train to Richmond, and was never seen again. With fourth choice viewed as indispensable in the back four, it was one-man elastic band who volunteered to don the gloves.

With ‘First versus Third’ billing, the live camera crew from Sky Sports were presumably expecting a match packed with quality, action and drama. No chance. There was quality in patches from both teams, but this was largely confined to the innocuous midfield zones, and the resultant drab game saw neither keeper called upon to make many saves.

The Eagles had won their first three matches and some neat passing interplay suggested the reason. Some early balls dissecting the Logica rearguard looked promising, but the unconventional prowled aggressively outside his box, enabling him on a number of occasions to advance quickly and hoof away the danger.

This tactic seemed to confound the Bald Men, who retreated and conservatively took to passing the ball around in front of Logica’s back line, which suited the home side just fine. There was only a couple of minutes danger, in fact, during the first period. A snap-shot from a half cleared cross pinged back off a post with well beaten. Shortly afterwards a lofted ball over the top saw the Logica keeper stay in his box, but at least he stayed on his feet long enough to persuade the Bald striker to poke weakly wide.

Much of Logica’s quality oozed from the boots of their captain . Time and again he maintained calm possession, drifting past one, two, three opponents as if the ball was tied to his bootlaces, before picking out an incisive pass. The best chances fell to , firstly shooting wide from a good position, and then firing home a blistering shot only to be quite improbably penalised for barging a defender at least ten times his weight.

Although Logica started the second period with intent, it was the visitors who bounced back to take the lead. Sharp counter-attacks had shown Logica at their most vulnerable, and now one such quick break finally broke the deadlock. The ball was played for their striker to run on to, and before could get across to tackle, the Eagle had hit a fierce first-time effort from 15 yards past a startled and into the roof of the net [0-1].

With so few clear-cut chances at either end, one goal had looked like it may be enough. But the new found confidence of this Logica side enabled them to respond quickly. Unsurprisingly was the architect, quickly pouncing on a loose clearance, chesting the ball down before firing in a dipping volley from outside the box. The keeper could not hold on to it, and as the ball ran loose, was onto it in a flash to convert clinically [1-1].

After this brief interlude of net-bulging excitement, the match reverted to its turgid former self. There were a few moments of drama, but these were largely inspired by comedy. First attempted to kick clear inside his own six-yard box, and Logica were grateful to some brave blocks during the penalty-box pin-ball that followed his air-kick. Then after heading the ball up in the air, set off walking in the wrong direction as if heading for the changing rooms. Again the Bald Eagles were unable to get in for the kill.

With just ten minutes remaining more serious comedy erupted. First, , quickly darting to pick up a loose ball in the box, crumpled in a heap without an opponent in sight. Quick medical prognosis concluded that the elastic band in his calf had twanged, and got to wear the gloves after all.

Shortly afterwards, the new number one and slid in simultaneously to snuff out some danger, and someone’s limb made exact and painful contact with the defender’s injury from the previous week. With solitary substitute already getting in some timely tackles at left-back, the previously rarely seen defensive qualities of were called upon. A cool head and calm feet were now deployed at the back as the Walsall Wizard rounded off a fine Captain’s innings, before heroically staggered back into the fray for the last few minutes.

Logica’s battle-weary troops withstood all that could be thrown at them in this last ten minutes, and indeed might even have stolen a cheeky winner. weaved past three defenders before having his shot blocked, and there was also expectancy from the home fans when Logica won a free-kick 25 yards out. But the hard-working fired into the wall, and had to settle for a point.

In truth, given all the resourcing crises that had gone before, Logica could be happy with that return. At least they could claim to be the first side to take points off the Bald Eagles this season, and there was more good news after the match. was spotted watching the match in the Stade's Director's Box and exclusively revealed to our hack that he is close to full fitness following a horrendous injury sustained over a year ago in the Rome World Cup. The talented midfielder is targetting a comeback around November, whereupon should have a squad of about 50 to choose from. It is a long time since the phrase "if selected..." has rung so true...