A moment of magic from Jordan Clement four minutes into time added on earned Hinckley an unlikely three points as they extended their unbeaten run under new management to seven.
That run was put to its sternest test yet as they twice had to come from behind against a spirited GNG Oadby Town side, before Clement scored direct from a late corner to complete the comeback.
Hinckley made four changes with Will Harris making his first start whilst Evangelos Empochontsif started at left back after joining from Rugby Town, but the new defensive line struggled in the early stages. GNG took the lead after eight minutes, Emanuel Nnaji made ground on the right flank before squaring for the unmarked Rizvan Hussain to finish from 12 yards.
AFC levelled midway through the half when Chandler Pegg was fouled in the box and Jared Bradshaw converted the spot kick before the home side regained their lead in a dramatic moment on the half hour. Bradshaw was unlucky when he pinged a 25-yard free kick off the bar and play immediately switched to the other end as Hinckley were caught short of defensive numbers and Nnaji took full advantage to score.
Lively Oadby didn’t play like a side still seeking their first win in the league whilst Hinckley were disjointed, their frustration summed up when Clement was sin-binned towards the end of the first half.
Early in the second half, the impressive Nnaji almost claimed another, a surging run from halfway took him into the area before he dragged his shot wide, before Hinckley made a double change on the hour that affected the game.
Zach Tellyn was unlucky when his cross shot came back off the inside of a post before he levelled shortly after. GNG conceded a free kick 25 yards from goal, Jahmari Hyarr was sin-binned for his reaction, and Tellyn drilled home a precise free kick to level it up again.
Hinckley pressured in the closing stages, forcing a number of set pieces and thought they scored when Jacob Shilton headed home Clement’s corner but the referee cut short celebrations by ruling it out for an apparent infringement in a crowded goalmouth.
Undeterred, the visitors continued to seek a winner and were rewarded in the 94th minute. Clement’s delicious corner from the right had dip and bend as it eluded Adam Binks in the home goal and curled inside the far post to lift Hinckley up to fourth in the table.
Oadby: Adam Binks, Karan Anbhavne, Taylor Shilcock, Jaga Singh, Jahmari Hyarr, Jeva Singh (Jakeem Jennings Kadir 58), Rizvan Hussain (Lambert Tosanga Lokonga 85), Bandal Camen, Emanuel Nnaji, Stanley Mugisha, Mario Mendez (Munrajan Rai Singh 90). Subs not used: Richmond Marrhar, Sergio Dillon
Goals: Rizvan Hussain (8), Emmanuel Nnaji (33)
Hinckley: Keelan Fallows, Henley Hadley (Lucinee Donzo 60), Evangelos Empochontsif (Kevin Hemagou 60), Reece Massey, Jacob Shilton, Will Harris, Jared Bradshaw, Caleb Yeboah, Chandler Pegg, Jordan Clement, Zach Tellyn. Subs not used: Jake Tullin, Amari Osayande, James Sanderson
Goals: Jared Bradshaw (20 pen), Zach Tellyn (64), Jordan Clement (94)
Attendance: 75
