AN under-strength Watchet side began the new league season by picking up a hard-earned point in a 1-1 draw away to Wells City on Saturday.
The most notable in a long list of absentees were Robbie Hopkins and Paul Raymond, but a collective resolve to do well against the odds helped the Red and Blacks gain a share of the spoils.
The little boost early on which gave Watchet some much needed encouragement came in the form of a spectacular save from keeper Steve Moore inside the first ten minutes.
Following a free-kick the ball dropped for Edwards to strike a sweet volley which was heading for the top corner of the net until the leaping Moore managed to claw it away at the last moment.
The Watchet goal came under some heavy pressure for a spell, but a mixture of solid defending and some questionable Wells finishing kept the scoresheet blank.
At the other end Nick Sully's long-range drive was not far away from the angle, and Nick Criddle shot just wide after an intricate passing move which also involved Dave Ridge, Steve Wild and Lawrence Monaghan.
Moore came to the visitors' rescue again with a flying tip-over from a fierce drive, and an inswinging corner came back off the visitors' bar before the Red and Blacks and the best chance to date.
Monaghan's low cross after a run down the right following Stuart Cowling's pass came back invitingly off a defender, only for Sully to scoop it over the top from inside the six yard box.
Wells continued to be frustrated by Watchet's stubbornness and right on the internal Criddle went close to snatching the lead with a far post header from Wild's well-delivered corner.
It did not take long in the second-half for Watchet's resistance to be broken, though there was a suspicion of offside as Edwards was left completely in the clear to lob wide of Moore.
Minutes later Moore kept Watchet in touch with another full-length save as the home side threatened to take control.
It was important for Watchet to hit back quickly and within ten minutes they were back on level terms.
Matt Heywood took time off from a strong defensive showing to venture forward and meet Wild's driven free kick beyond the far post with a firm downward header into the back of the net.
Watchet seemed to have done the hardest part and with Wild and Ridge supplying chances they might have gone to to win the game in the last quarter.
Criddle fired too high and had another effort blocked before substitute Steve Allen's header glanced wide.
Another header from Criddle passed inches over the bar before the Red and Blacks successfully survived a few more hairy moments in their own goalmouth to secure the point they would gladly have settled for before the start.
Watchet: S Moore, L Monaghan, D Spence, M Clausen, M Heywood, P Dorrington, S Cowling, N Criddle, N Sully, D Ridge, S Wild, subs M Waygood, S Allen, W Merrick.
l The Red and Blacks face an even tougher proposition tomorrow when they visit Shepton Mallet, who finished third in the Premier Division last season.