Not only had Logica lost their last two matches against key relegation rivals, but the manner of those defeats had strongly suggested that they were odds on for the drop. Despite the importance of these proverbial six-pointers, the Supremi had struggled to raise a bare XI for both games. The quality of the football was for the most-part extremely poor, and perhaps worst of all, morale seemed beyond repair. The pulse was faint, the last rites were surely not far away.

A match against Spectra on the bowling green surface of the Stade was certainly not what the doctor would have ordered in this life threatening condition. The visitors had torn Logica to shreds on the same ground at the end of last season with their neat passing football executed at great speed. Many shrewd pundits had tipped them for at least promotion this time out, and comprehensive wins against fellow title-chasers Pimlico Village (4-1) and Croydon Red Star (3-0) strongly backed up such views.

But after a strong run up until Christmas, Spectra's fortunes appear to have taken a sharp nose-dive in 2008. It seems that Logica are not the only club struggling to fill their team-sheet, for Spectra only managed to raise ten men on this breezy spring morning, whilst for once all fourteen yellow shirts were plucked from the Logica kit bag. But there was certainly no danger of over-confidence in the home ranks: even a man down, Spectra were still a dangerous side, and it was only three weeks ago that Logica had conspired to lose to a late goal against ten-man Battersea City.

But there were some reasons for optimism, despite the performances of recent weeks. The Supremi had managed to unearth some new personnel in the shape of (who had impressed greatly in a pre-season friendly) and midfielder . came through a late fitness test on an injured ankle, and returned to the squad for the first time since cracking a rib in January. The gaffers had also opted to return to a more attacking 4-4-2 formation, since only a win would be of much use now.

Never the less, Logica began with the air of a team low on confidence. It took them twenty-five minutes or more to get going, and by then they were 2-0 down. The first goal was farcical, the second brilliant. The home defence looked bemused as a low Spectra corner from the left somehow bumbled through everyone before creeping directly just inside the far post [0-1]. Logica responded well, and were just starting to attack with some belief when Spectra hit them with a sucker punch. A swift break saw the ball moved quickly from left to right, where the Spectra forward unerringly found the net with a clinical low drive from the corner of the box [0-2].

The Logica side of recent weeks would have crumbled at this point but, inspired by the two debutants, Logica fought back with some neat attacking football. Normally a defender or midfielder, was causing Spectra great problems at the back with his strength, pace and aerial threat. There was nothing that he did not chase, and he showed a sure touch on the ball. On the right flank, was finding some good positions, passing the ball intelligently, and likewise posing a threat with his strong running. Both players had half-chances. couldn't quite get enough purchase on his shot to finish off a swift passing move, and shortly afterwards, burst past his full back and flashed a shot across the keeper but just wide.

The home side were on top now, and moving the ball around well. was freed down the right and arrowed in a dangerous cross that unfortunately was just a fraction too far in front of the marauding , who could only get the faintest of touches to his header. But Logica did finally get the goal they deserved after another sweeping attack. 's shot was desperately blocked, but picked up the clearance and knocked it forward to . The striker shaped to play a return pass, but instead dragged the ball outside his marker, before firing towards the far post. The keeper got a hand to the shot, but could only palm the ball to , who made no mistake from eight yards out [1-2].

Suddenly the confidence returned, and Logica drew level on the stroke of half time with a sublime goal, architected and executed by an impressive midfield. alertly intercepted a Spectra pass out from the back, and advanced before slipping a neat pass square to . With great awareness, nudged the ball on first time, perfectly into the path of running from deep, who in turn thrashed home an unstoppable low drive from the edge of the box [2-2]. A fine goal.

It may generally be regarded as a great time to score, but the interval came at the wrong time for the home side, whose euphoria had waned somewhat by the restart. Spectra showed their quality even a man down, as they penned Logica back, and they regained the lead via some fine opportunism. The home defence failed to clear the danger, and the ball rebound back towards keeper . But quick as a flash, Spectra's dangerous forward nipped in to take the ball round the Logica keeper and poke it into the empty net [2-3].

Falling behind seemed to wake the home side from their post-interval slumbers, and Logica responded quickly and effectively. A throw-in won on the half way line seemed innocuous enough, but took it quickly and threw long. challenged the centre-half and did enough to enable the ball to bounce on and into the path of , whose pace enabled him to burst clear of the last defender. Showing good composure, the new man took his time before firing low under the keeper's dive to score his second of the morning, and draw Logica level again [3-3].

Revitalised, Logica stepped up the pace now, with the midfield quartet especially dominant. The snappy interplay of , and in particular created regular chances. 's movement, especially towards both flanks, was stretching the Spectra back-line and creating space for others. Twice he was harshly denied by the linesman's flag, on the second occasion sliding home a well disguised through-ball from after seemingly having timed his run to perfection. Unfortunately, on the occasions when there was no flag, his finishing powers deserted him: twice he peeled away to the left to receive passes whilst unmarked, but fluffed both chances.

All this pressure was finally bought to bear. jumped on the right touch-line to head the ball into the path of . The debutante midfielder pressed towards the box before astutely squaring to the unmarked . Another merciless finish from fifteen yards gave Logica the lead for the first time in the match [4-3].

The Supremi immediately moved to reinforce their advantage by bringing on two pairs of fresh legs, and Logica seemed content to hold on to what they had. They still needed the brilliance of , diving spectacularly to miraculously parry a short-range thunderbolt before bravely blocked the follow-up shot. But shortly afterwards Logica might equally have extended their lead when was played clear down the right only to see his shot flash wide of the far post.

There was more intriguing news after the finally whistle when club administrators heard news that Battersea City had apparently folded the week before. This is yet to be confirmed, and it is equally unclear what will happen if it proves true. But having cunningly lost to City three weeks ago, this club's demise can only benefit Logica more than the seven teams who have beaten them this season.

Two weeks ago Logica seemed dead and buried. Now, at least, the corpse is twitching.