A LATE penalty from Rhys Murphy cancelled out a strike from a former Chelmsford City man Chris Dickson in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Although the Clarets may see this as a missed opportunity after Hampton played an hour with 10 men, following Rian Bray’s red card.

Following a relatively low key opening, Dickson tested away goalkeeper Nathan McDonald with five minutes of the half remaining but, after skipping past a late tackle inside the area, the former Claret saw his tame effort held.

But with moments of the half remaining, Dickson latched onto a loose ball in-front of the City defence and instinctively lobbed McDonald to provide the Beavers with the lead at the break.

The same man was denied by McDonald after the break with Tom Wraight then heading at the stopper.

Shaun Batt missed a golden chance after racing through on goal with 10 minutes remaining, but the substitute had his low shot saved well by Tom Lovelock.

However, the Clarets were awarded a penalty right at the death when referee Robert Massey-Ellis deemed a right-wing cross to have been handled in the area.

Murphy stepped up and kept his composure to strike low past Lovelock and steal a point to bring home to Essex.

The result keeps Chelmsford in mid-table.

Chelmsford City: McDonald, Omozusi, Spillane, Swaine, Church (Barnum-Bobb 58’), Fenwick (Miles 74’), Reason, Wraight, Anderson, Murphy, Whelpdale (Batt 58’)

>Chelmsford welcome Bath City to the Melbourne Stadium this weekend, with kick-off at 3pm.