Hayes & Yeading started the new Bostik League campaign with an away point after two late strikes within just sixty seconds from Toby Little earned Paul Hughes' side a 3-3 draw at Cheshunt.

The home side saw a lot of possession early in the game with only a long range effort from Jason Hallett that was saved low down by United stopper James Shaw to show for their efforts.

Indeed it was a rare early United attack that saw the deadlock broken on 14 minutes. Toby Little collected a pass on the left before cutting the ball back to Kaan Fehmi, his first time shot was fumbled by Ambers 'keeper Andrew McCorkell allowing Lewis Toomey to snatch a debut goal.

Toomey should have had a second six minutes later when a good run on the other side by Tom Jelley saw him draw the 'keeper before picking out Toomey in the middle, the United striker took a touch rather than firing into the unguarded net allowing an excellent recovery tackle by a Cheshunt defender.

Jelley was on the surge again shortly after when he crossed to Fehmi, his initial effort was well blocked by McCorkell with the striker firing the rebound over from a tight angle.

The home side pushed upfield looking to level the game and looked like they would when Shaw spelled a cross from the right, luckily for United, Keano Robinson was alert to block the resultant shot wide.

Seven minutes before the interval, Jelley and Fehmi combined to feed Little, his first time strike being pushed wide by the home stopper and this was quickly followed by a Scott Donnelly free-kick that was just too high from 20 yards.

With time in the half reaching its end, Toomey was played through and capped the ball neatly home only to be flagged offside. McCorkell fired the free-kick upfield and the ball dropped to Hallett who fired low into the corner of the United net to send the teams in level at the break.

A quick burst after the break from the hom side saw a Patrick Adamson corner reach Hallett in the centre but he couldn't keep his header down.

Play quickly turned around and United were kept at bay by the woodwork. Scott Bridges found Toomey on the right, he picked out Fehmi in the box but on the stretch he could only find the Cheshunt crossbar and his effort on the rebound was blocked into the 'keepers arms.

Chances came and went at both ends, Ryan Kinnane rose highest to a Little corner of United while at the other end an Ayodeji Olukoga centre was deflected skywards with Hallett connecting via an overhead kick that went just wide of the far post.

The lead for the home side was only minutes away however as a long ball to Nathan Koranteng on the left saw him smash the ball past Shaw from an angle.

A moment of controversy in the 74th minute saw the United bench fuming as Hallett appeared to lunge into Shaw who had already claimed the ball, much to the amazement of the United bench and supporters only a yellow card was shown by referee Mr Chard, the home bench realising they had "got away with one" immediately substituted their opening goalscrorer.

As we entered the final ten minutes I’m sure nobody expected a three goal bonanza in that time. First opening went to the home side as Kojo Awotni was picked out unmarked at the far post by a left wing cross, Shaw getting down well to deny the Cheshunt player, blocking his shot wide of the target for a corner that was sent into the middle, partially cleared to Koranteng who sent in a 20 yard dipping volley that flew past a statuesque Shaw to give the home side a 3-1 advantage.

Four minutes later however United were level courtesy of a brace from the magical left boot of Toby Little. His first on 85 minutes saw the United wing-back cut in from the left, his initial shot was charged down but Little was not to be denied as he continued through to hammer the loose ball past McCorkell.

Within sixty seconds he was at it again, this time Little played the ball left to skipper Donnelly, his perfect return pass being met by Little whose ferocious shot flew into the top corner of McCorkell’s net, the ‘keeper getting a hand to the ball but the shot was too powerful and United were level.

Then in stoppage time United almost won it when a ball in to Little in the centre saw him lay it off to Duncan Culley, his drive being superbly tipped over by McCorkell who got no credit for the save from the referee who somehow awarded a goal-kick and a few seconds later the game drew to a close with honours shared.

Report by Kevin Watts.

Photos by Ray Peploe.

United Man of the Match: Toby Little.