Boro let lead slip as Eagles swoop; FOOTBALL: Nuneaton throw away half-time advantage at lowly Bedford Town.

Byline: Derek Brown

Bedford Town .................... 2 Nuneaton Town ................. 1 THE EAGLES landed their first home league victory as hapless Boro surrendered an interval advantage and their 11-match unbeaten run.

Despite former Bedford favourite Chris Dillon rifling Nuneaton in front just prior to the half hour, Bedford - who missed an early spot kick - rallied superbly to snatch the honours thanks to secondhalf strikes from Craig Daniel and Ian Draycott.

With play-maker Kyle Storer rstarting his 112-day suspension but still awaiting news of his appeal, manager Kevin Wilkin recalled Matty Collins to the engine-room while latearriving vice-captain Stuart Pierpoint was replaced by Danny Pitham.

Boro savoured an early letoff when Callum Lewis left Pitham for dead and raced into the box where keeper Darren Acton flicked the ankle of the midfielder, who stumbled in an attempt to stay on his feet as the ball trickled wide. Referee John Scott rightly pointed to the spot but Tony Battersby's penalty clattered the outside of Acton's right-hand post, with the latter then being cautioned for a remark made to the official.

The miss proved costly as on 25 minutes Boro stole the lead from their first positive goal threat. Rob Oddy burst down the right and from his deep cross Dillon's initial header was blocked by keeper Mike Armitt only for the ex-Eagles frontman to joyfully rifle the rebound into the gaping net from close range.

Acton then turned over a 25-yarder from Draycott, who had his say three minutes into the second period as he carved out the equaliser with an astute through ball to Daniel, whose skidding angled drive found the target.

Soon after, the below-par Pitham was replaced by Pierpoint as Boro looked to regain the advantage. James Armson and Collins both fired high over the top when placed to do better.

Dillon had a great opportunity to edge Boro ahead again just past the hour as he reacted smartly to Armitt spilling Lee Moore's bobbling shot - only to see his tame effort blocked by the keeper.

On 67 minutes The Eagles swooped to grab the lead as Pierpoint's hesitancy allowed Draycott to power into the box and win the race with Acton to stab low into the net from just inside the area.

Lewis then forced Acton into an acrobatic save while Draytcott's tasty curling 18-yarder rattled the bar. Boro could have salvaged a point but substitute Gez Murphy's weak effort from seven yards was pawed to safety.

Boro: Acton, Oddy, Dean, Pitham (Pierpoint 50), Forsdick, Armson, Collins (Spacey 68), Noon, Marsden (Murphy 74), Dillon, Moore. Subs not used: Collett, Hadland. Att: 380.