The Stoke faithful probably didn't know what to expect from this fixture after a dismal midweek performance, two recent draws, the addition of two new faces to the squad and an Appledore side facing two weekend league fixtures and a county cup semi final in midweek, to say nothing for games in hand which could see them fighting for the title come the end of April. What they saw was an entertaining end to end encounter, feisty in parts with an ending fit for a comic book. The visitor's success this season has clearly been built on a hard working team ethic as they dominated the opening exchanges, supporting one another when in possession and when looking to win the ball, an approach which clearly had Stoke on the back foot in the opening ten minutes as two clear shooting opportunities went over the bar from Marc Bettis and Richard Hevingham who both should have opened the Fisherman's account. Not to be undone, Stoke also contributed to this frantic opening as Mark Newbould's volleyed cross from the right touchline saw Kevin Wills head over from six yards when he should have made the goalkeeper work. However it was probably a fair reflection of the game when Appledore opened the scoring on 17 minutes. A long ball found Bettis' head and his flick on found Hevingham who advanced and drove across Adrian Pullin in the home goal from 12 yards. It is indicative of sporting psychology that such a deserved outcome leads to a relaxed approach on the part of the scorers as Stoke suddenly came alive and became a much more integral part of the game. However a continuing inability to support one another and resolute defending all over the pitch by the visitors meant possession rarely resulted in a goalbound effort with two Wills efforts following runs into the box being the closest Stoke came to levelling matters before the interval. Whatever they agreed at the break certainly worked, as Stoke began the second period very much in the ascendancy. The first half an hour saw them camped in the visitors' half as Stoke dominated proceedings without looking overly dangerous and Appledore defended resolutely to frustrate the hosts in a manner to which they have recently become accustomed. However, the introduction of Glen Palmer and new signings Matt Micklewright and Richard Gomm together with a more attacking 3-4-3 formation added spark to proceedings. On 75 minutes Ty Hawken foud himself unmarked on the six yard line but his thunderbolt volley hit the keeper square in the chest and rebounded to safety when a foot either side would have required repairs to the net. Within a minute though the equaliser did arrive in bizarre fashion as the ball was cleared to Gomm 30 yards out and as his ridiculously high ball into the box appeared to be dropping harmlessly into the keeper's hands on his line, Palmer jumped cleanly and won the header which dropped into the net. Cue some disruption. Appledore suddenly found life again and took the game to the Railwaymen, with counter attacks which saw a flurry of corners and half chances needing attention from a Stoke rearguard by now missing General Ian Mayer who had been redeployed to the front line. Both sides fell out with the match official over claims for free kicks and cautions but the game ebbed and flowed towards a conclusion until 94 minutes had elapsed. Once again Gomm found himself in possession 20 yards out and whereas his strike would normally have found the top corner it screwed wide only to find Micklewirhgt whose second shot hit the goalkeeper and rebounded to Palmer two yards out who calmly side footed into the net to start celebrations among the Stoke ranks. But wait......what's this? An assistant's flag for offside raised as the ball hit the net? Surely not? But yes, there it was, the visitor's match official brandishing his pennant. The referee looked once, looked twice and as soon as he began to make his way towards his number two the outcome was already decided. The resulting free kick was punted upfield and the final whistle sounded as did many raised voices. Even on a good day, the offside rule is subjective and every team on the receiving end believes they have been hard done by. Stoke were no exception on this occasion and will claim, as they have on many occasions recently, that their territorial dominance was deserving of victory. However, Appledore will similarly point to staunch defending and clear but lesser periods of dominance as indicators of them deserving something from the game. Similarly the match official was resolute in his assessment of that all important disallowed goal and so another two points went astray for title chasing Stoke. They still have a strong position over most other teams with the exception of the Royal Marines who must fancy their chances of taking 11 points from 6 games in hand to overhaul the Broadley Lane club. There are bound to be further twists and turns as with two thrids of the season gone, there are still at least another half a dozen clubs who could emerge victorious come the 8th May.