Late Ben Milnes penalty steals draw for Tamworth at Boreham Wood

Matt Rush’s hat-trick had looked like helping Boreham Wood put aside last season’s National League play-off final heartbreak by opening with a win before Milnes held his nerve.

Rush, who netted 33 goals in all competitions last term as Wood were beaten on penalties by Rochdale at Wembley, levelled just before the break with a header at the back post moments after Kieren Donnelly’s opener.

Debutant Donnelly, signed from Boston this summer, restored Tamworth’s lead before the hour mark but Rush turned the game around with two strikes inside three minutes before Milnes had the final say.

Striker Abdul Abdulmalik, subject of a reported £1million bid from Swedish side Djurgarden which has been rejected, came on for Wood in the 56th minute and set up Rush for the equaliser.