WELTON Rovers were denied victory with virtually the final kick as home side Longwell Green Sports snatched an eighth‑minute stoppage‑time equaliser in a dramatic six‑goal encounter in the first division of the Jewson Western Football League.

The hosts started strongly, forcing Rob Brown into two excellent early saves to deny Billy Hensler and Sonny Passco. Welton responded with efforts from Aaron Seviour and Matt Morris, but Longwell Green struck twice in quick succession midway through the half.

A cross from Issac Flynn was finished at the far post, before captain Matt Brown converted another delivery from the left to make it 2–0.

Welton grew into the game and were rewarded just before the break when Seviour produced a superb goal, flicking the ball up on the edge of the area before turning to fire an unstoppable strike into the top corner.

Rovers carried their momentum into the second half, with Lewis Russell denied by a fine save before Will Ford levelled from close range.

The match opened up, but Welton’s task became harder when Russell received a second yellow card on 80 minutes.

Despite being down to ten men, Welton thought they had won it when Ford rounded the keeper to score in the 96th minute.

However, deep into added time, Matt Brown bundled home his second to earn the hosts a share of the points and avoid conceding the season’s double to their rivals.

The result left Rovers third from bottom, still in the relegation zone (three will be relegated), but with two games in hand on Keynsham Town Reserves immediately above them.

Elsewhere, Sturminster Newton United gained a convincing 4-0 away win over Almondsbury to stay two points clear at the top over second-placed Wells City who also won away, 2-0 to Calne Town.

Bob Allard