MINEHEAD were held to a 2-2 away draw by lowly Middlezoy Rovers Reserves in the first division of the Uhlsport Somerset County Football League.

In a game where neither side really controlled play for any lengthy period, promotion chasing Minehead failed to claim all three points against their relegation threatened hosts and will likely view this result as two points dropped rather than one gained.

It also meant Minehead have taken only one point against Middlezoy in two of their games this season, having slumped to a 4-0 home defeat on the opening day of the season when the visitors looked a useful outfit.

Blues’ captain Stefan Phillips tried two probing shots from distance during the early exchanges, but it was Toby Waghorn who opened the scoring for Minehead after 20 minutes, scoring from a corner.

Fifteen minutes later the home side levelled through striker Dylan Williams, whose shot from close range gave Blues keeper Chris McKee little chance.

Early in the second half Will Singleton-Voss weaved his way past two defenders to create an opportunity for himself but from just inside the box his shot lacked enough conviction to beat the keeper who blocked the shot.

With possession remaining even throughout the second half, Louis Burge was sent to the sin bin by the no-nonsense referee, but Minehead remained focussed with a man short.

Manager Craig Carr then made a double substitution to freshen legs, introducing Scott Kivell and Miles Campbell-Farmer and the ten men went ahead through a well taken goal by Josh Elston, who beat two players before rifling home to put Minehead deservedly back in front.

Before Burge was allowed to return to the pitch, Minehead were reduced to nine men as Singleton-Voss was also sent to the sin bin for a similarly mild request for information made to the referee. Though Minehead were by then back to a full XI, a late Zoy equaliser scored by substitute Oscar Albano, meant two points slipped away from them. However supporters will be pleased that Guy Burns, their fourth highest goal-scorer in history, made his first start of the season, after a long period out through injury.

Man of the Match was Bertie Harvey-Larmar on a day when they would certainly have been disappointed with only one point from a side in the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Congresbury became the new leaders of the division on goal difference after they beat sixth-placed Burnham United 2-1 at home.

Title-rivals Ashton & Backwell United dropped three crucial points when they went down 1-0 to Nailsea & Tickenham Reserves.

Minehead’s draw at Middlezoy meant they stayed in fifth place in the table, seven points behind Congresbury, both sides having played the same number of games.