A Friend in need!

The Rebels' performance was first class at times yet their inability to finish with the same precision kept alive the visitors hopes of salvaging a point. As it was, Tooting had to take the lead before Slough began to show what they are capable of.

Derek Casey beat Richard Teale with the aid of a deflection after 34 minutes and then Slough hit back with two goals from Barrie Friend before half-time. He equalised six minutes later with a powerful drive from 25 yards which caught goalkeeper Micky Sullivan by surprise. Then, after Danny Goodwin had fouled Mick Kiely, Friend scored from the penalty spot.

Slough continued to pressure Tooting for most of the second half, when Eggie James and Kiely both went close with headers before the effervescent Friend hit the bar in the 70th minute. Keith White cut through the middle of the Tooting defence only to shoot wide and Kiely headed a few inches the wrong side of the far post after a fine move on the right involving James and Friend.

Pat Morrissey, who has become Slough's director general in midfield, started attack after attack but it was that now familiar poor finishing which denied deserved goals.

Tooting's Trevor Ford was booked in the 81st minute after he had flattened the hard working Kiely, and Terry Reardon replaced the injured James.

The Rebels had now obviously tired and Tooting pushed forward in search of an equaliser. Their skipper Fran Cowley presented John Keith with an excellent opportunity but he headed wide of an open goal and Slough held on to a valuable three points to close the gap on leaders Enfield.