Carlisle City scored a dramatic 2-1 win at Durham City in Division Two of the Northern League to move into third place
In the league fixture at Gillford Park in November, City had won 16-1 but this game was to prove a very different affair.
It was all-square in the 92nd minute when a City corner was cleared and the danger looked to have passed.
But Bowman latched onto the ball 25 yards out and hit a screaming shot past keeper Crombie for only his second goal of the season, prompting a mini-pitch invasion by the City contingent.
City now face three games in a week, including the Cumberland Cup final against Wetheriggs on Tuesday evening. On Thursday they travel to lowly Esh Winning and on Saturday host fifth placed Ryton and Crowcrock Albion.
They are currently five points behind long-time leaders Heaton Stannington who complete their programme on Saturday at fourth placed Easington Colliery.
The scenario is this – if Carlisle City win their last two games and Heaton Stannington lose on Saturday then the Sky Blues will be champions and gain promotion to the First Division – probably at the expense of Penrith.
Against Durham City, who are bottom of the League with just two draws to their name and with 196 goals conceded, City took the lead in the 9th minute.
Atkinson notched his sixth goal in the last three games, shooting past Crombie from 10 yards.
Durham had not registered a shot in the first period but in the 80th minute they equalised, City’s Townsley had just produced two fine saves in quick succession but he could do nothing about a shot from substitute Thompson which flew high into the top corner of the net.
Durham thought they had earned only their third point of the season when they conceded to Bowman’s late stunner.
