Oliver Davies and his Merthyr Town teammates suffered heartache in their EvoStik Southern League match at Arbour Park in Slough.
Goalkeeper Davies saved two penalties and the Martyrs led 2-1 with more than an hour gone, but hosts Slough Town snatched the winner five minutes into second half overtime.
The winner followed a Slough penalty which even their manager, Jon Underwood, admitted was ‘soft’.
Davies was challenged by Slough centre-forward Brad Wadkins for a high ball and the pair tumbled over as they landed.
Contact was inevitable because substitute Wadkins had tried to win the ball, but it looked an innocuous incident. The referee pointed to the spot, then consulted a linesman, who had seemed to indicate a free-kick the other way, and then confirmed it was a penalty.
Davies had saved an earlier Slough penalty and dived to block again, Lench was able to follow up from his spot-kick and slot home from the rebound.
“The ball was in the air and Brad got his body in there,” said Underwood. “He didn’t foul their goalkeeper, who put his hands on Brad as he went to retrieve the ball.
“It was a little bit soft, but if you put your hands on an opponent you run the risk.”
The result was cruel on a Martyrs team who gave everything in the cause and carved out a genuine chance of winning against a Slough team pressing hard for promotion.
The Martyrs are certainly glad to see the back of Slough Town this season. The Rebels fought back from 4-0 down in Merthyr earlier this season and won 5-4.
Slough were forced to change their formation from a midfield diamond to 4-4-2, sending on wingers to get at Merthyr.
Taylor and Ashley Evans had chances to win the game when the score was 2-2, but the home team won and Underwood said: “I was speechless at the end. I didn’t know whether I should be happy or frustrated.
“But I have to be happy with three points. They are massive for us.”
Slough had taken the lead after six minutes when Lench smashed home a volley, while Merthyr equalised just after the half hour when Traylor’s corner was flicked in by Corey Jenkins at the near post.
The home team felt it was an own goal, but the challenge of Jenkins was significant and he seemed to get the touch.
Taylor produced a clinical finish when he was sent clear by Jenkins. Merthyr’s number nine knew little about it, but a headed clearance struck Jenkins and looped neatly into Traylor’s path.
The finish was outstanding with Traylor firing across goalkeeper Jack Turner and just inside the far post.
Davies produced his first penalty save when he got down quickly to block a Ben Harris effort, but James Dobson levelled the score at 2-2 after 63 minutes.
Then came the late drama when Lench fired Slough’s winner to leave Merthyr down and out. They deserved better.
Merthyr’s next match is at home against Weymouth at the Loadlok Community Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
The win moved Slough up two places to fifth, although they are 12 points behind title favourites Hereford.
Slough Town: Jack Turner, Josh Jackman, George Well, Guy Hollis, Alan Inns (capt), Lee Togwell, Nathan Webb, Matt Lench, Ben Harris, Chris Flood, Manny Williams. Subs: Nathan Smart, Sean Fraser, James Dobson, Warren Harris, Brad Wadkins.
Merthyr Town: Oliver Davies, Miles John, Adam Davies, Ashley Evans (capt), Scott Tancock, Connor Harford, Jaye Bowen, Harry Franklin, Corey Jenkins, Harrison Lewis, Ian Traylor. Subs: Liam Martin, Cameron Clark (gk), Gavin Williams, Lee Price, Ryan Prosser.
Referee: Philip Stayings.
Attendance: 663.