Didcot Tn 2

AFC Totton 2

Andy Ballard headed a late equaliser for Didcot Town as their run without a win in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West stretched to seven games.

The Railwaymen, whose squad included unused substitute Jack Powell, son of former Oxford United and Didcot midfielder Paul Powell, for the first time, dominated the first half.

However, they were repeatedly denied by in-form Totton keeper Steve Mowthorpe, who made a string of excellent saves.

However, he was finally beaten on the stroke of half-time when Sam Elkins crossed into the box, Jimmy Deabill missed the ball, but it fell into the path of Matty Woodley, who fired into the net.

Didcot looked to keep up the pressure and avoid a meltdown that saw the start of the winless run when they went down 5-3 to Totton in the reverse fixture last month.

However, against the run of play, the visitors levelled in the 56th minute after Nathaniel Sherbourne broke through the Didcot backline and fired past James Foster from a tight angle.

Despite the surprise equaliser, Didcot continued to pile on the pressure, but to no avail.

And they were stunned for a second time when a long throw was picked up by Craig Feeney in the 71st minute, and his shot went through Foster.

Didcot kept pushing forward, though, and were rewarded when Ballard headed home Pablo Haysham’s corner to level the scores.

Despite more pressure on the Totton goal, Didcot were unable to grab a winner to restart their faltering season.

The draw sees Didcot remain in seventh spot, but they are now three points outside the promotion play-off positions after Larkhall Athletic’s 4-1 win at Bishops Cleeve.

Didcot Tn: Foster, Elkins, Organ, Ballard, Heapy, Learoyd, Dutton-Black, Self (Williams 59), Deabill (Mills HT), Brooks (65), Woodley. Sub not used: Powell.

Attendance: 103.

NORTH Leigh’s match at Yate Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The Millers drop a place to sixth.