PAULTON ROVERS 2 HIGHWORTH TOWN 2

Draw experts, Highworth, took a point in a game largely dominated by the home side at Winterfield Road this weekend.

Paulton had the best of the first half, yet went behind to a twelfth-minute goal after a flick on by Ryan Stanners found Ashley Edenborough, who drove home.

Rovers had a terrific chance five minutes before, as a long-kick from keeper, Rob Brown, brought a shot from Jack Ball, and Mitch Tippins’ effort was turned over the bar by Highworth stopper, Connor Johns.

Liam Monelle twice brought saves from Johns, before Ball saw his header tipped over the bar. Jay Malpas was running the show in Rovers’ centre of midfield.

Highworth’s best chance was a left-wing cross blasted over by Edenborough, and then Tippins laid to Ball, whose low drive rolled dangerously wide.

Highworth came out determined in the second period, as Sam Morris tested Brown, but Rovers levelled on 61 minutes as Trey Anderson’s cross from the right found Evans, whose shot on target was deflected past Johns to level.

However, the visitors went ahead again as Toumani Sadibi turned his low shot from the edge of the area and squeezed the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Edenborough then had a golden chance going around Brown, who recovered well to snuff out.

Sidibi was proving a thorn in the side of Rovers, and only last ditch defending prevented him adding to the score. Malpas then set up Ball, who fired wide. Paulton threw everything to equalise, and were

rewarded in added time, as Evans’ cross was fumbled by Johns, and substitute, Ryan Gay, thumped the ball home.

Rovers are away on Saturday, 22nd December at Thatcham Town; kick-off

3 p.m., then home on Boxing Day to Street with a 1 p.m. kick-off.

Tony Walsh