Division Two:

Milford United 1

Milford Athletic 1

A LATE goal from Jack Daines earned Milford Athletic a point in their local derby with arch rivals Milford United at Marble Hall.

The Robins had dominated the first half and led 1-0 at the break thanks to a sublime strike from Liam Fawcett - but the visitors dug deep and levelled matters with just five minutes left when Daines fired a half volley into the top of Reece Crowther’s net.

United went into the game off the back of a superb cup win over Clarbie Road the previous week, and started brightly when Fawcett cut in from the right before just failing to pick out Chris Thompson with his cross.

Robins’ midfielders Ashley Mathias and Ryan Wilson then both fired wide from long range, before McCauley Mackay directed a header straight at Athletic keeper Anthony Bevans.

The visitors had been forced to leave top scorer Jamie Davies on the bench after he arrived late due to work commitments, but he was soon called into action due to an injury to striker Nathan Daines.

But Chris Dullaghan’s men still struggled to create any real openings early on, with Jamie Lawrence having their only real meaningful effort when he dragged a left foot shot well wide.

And then on 27 minutes, the home side took the lead when Fawcett worked some space from 25 yards out, and curled a brilliant shot into the top corner, leaving Bevans rooted to the spot.

Wilson went close to doubling the lead when he jinked into the area before seeing his effort brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Bevans – and the keeper again kept his side in it before the break when he palmed away a Chris Thompson free kick.

United boss Phil Marchant would have been disappointed to see his side just a goal up at half time, and indeed, the visitors got a foothold in the game early in the second half.

Home keeper Crowther had to be quickly off his line to beat Lawrence to a Scott Griffiths through ball, before Ashley Bevans was off target from long range.

At the other end, Mackay headed wide before the impressive Fawcett skipped past two tackles and tried to play in Thompson – but Athletic right back Kai Jones covered well to clear the danger.

As the second half wore on, both sides began to cancel each other out, and although Wilson had a shot blocked from close range, and Davies curled a free kick over for Athletic, clear chances were few and far between.

But with The Robins seemingly set to hold on for the points, Daines latched onto a bouncing ball and placed a left foot shot beyond Crowther’s reach.

Afterwards, Marchant said his side’s lacklustre performance in the second half had cost them dear.

“I’m very disappointed,” he admitted.

“We needed that second goal and that’s a massive two points lost.

“Our performance was dire in the second half.”

Dullaghan meanwhile, praised his side’s battling display.

“I thought out determination and work rate was fantastic,” he said.

“We found it hard first half but improved after the break – and we managed to keep ourselves in the game and get a goal.

“I’m very pleased with a hard fought point.”

United now drop to sixth in the table, three points off the top two, while Athletic stay 12th, two points clear of the bottom two.

Milford United: Reece Crowther, Chris Davies, Tom Llewellyn, William Goodall, Scott Griffiths, Ashley Mathias, Liam Fawcett, Ryan Wilson, Chris Thompson, Ryan Mansell, Mcauley Mackay. Subs (all used): Neil Mathias, Liam Parr, Leighton Edwards.

Milford Athletic: Anthony Bevans, Scott Walters, Kai Jones, Jack Daines, Ashley Bevans, Aidan Swan, Jamie Bird, Gareth Hughes, Jamie Lawrence, Nathan Daines, Barry Finn. Subs (all used): Chris Dullaghan, Jamie Davies, Steve Buckley.

Referee: Paul Rooney.