A GRITTY performance by Minehead on Saturday gave them a 1-1 draw away to Larkhall Athletic and secured their first away point in 26 matches.

They came close to chalking up a victory, with Larkhall only snatching their equaliser in time added on, but the draw was still commendable, having lost the services of Damon McGee after 28 minutes when he was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Richard Gannon pulled on the goalkeeper's jersey as replacement for Gareth Evans, who had sustained a broken wrist at Clyst Rovers in the midweek. In his first appearance of the season, he had a good game and was so close to keeping the first clean sheet of the season.

Another regular missing was defender Tony Hills, who has a broken toe.

High-riding Larkhall found it hard to stamp their mark on the play, with Minehead's keen tackling and close marking frustrating them time and again.

They did claim the first corner of the afternoon, in the third minute, and Minehead did well to keep out a good effort, and another home corner followed soon after.

Minehead's forwards, well led by Brian Hall, gave the Bath side some anxious moments, Hall twice and Steve Perkins forcing timely saves from the keeper.

Minehead had two players booked for dissent after 18 minutes and the situation was compounded when a tackle by McGee earned him a red card ten minutes later.

Against the odds, Minehead took the game to the home side, who were visibly rocked in the 40th minute when Luke Taylor saw a gap in the home defence and, in making a run on goal, he was brought down in the penalty area.

David Sowden, in the absence of regular penalty taker Craig Carr, stepped up to score from the spot and Minehead clung onto their lead until halftime.

The second half saw Minehead producing a rearguard action, keeping the Larks at bay with their pace and determination.

In the 65th minute, following a corner, Larkhall had the ball in the net but they were offside.

Will Giblett replaced Lee Todd and Craig Carr was introduced two minutes later, almost marking his appearance with a goal when his astute angled pass put Perkins through but his shot found the side netting.

Larkhall stepped up their efforts to get on terms and at one stage it seemed almost every player was in the Minehead penalty area. Somehow Minehead survived and hacked the ball away.

The ball also struck the Minehead upright before, five minutes from the end, Minehead went close to scoring when a delightful cross from the right found Perkins whose header cannoned against the home bar and rebounded away from danger.

Minehead's lone front man Hall, who worked tirelessly throughout, deserved a goal and it almost came when his shot from a good position flew straight into the keeper's arms.

Just when it appeared Minehead's efforts were to be rewarded with a victory, Larkhall carved an opening in a crowded goalmouth and Osborne squeezed the ball over the line.

Larkhall then almost scored again when a desperate shot from a home player just cleared the bar, leaving the teams to share the spoils.

Minehead: R Gannon, L Todd, D Burr, M Heywood, A Giblett, A Hodgson, S Perkins, D Sowden, B Hall, L Taylor, D McGee, subs W Giblett, C Carr (both used).

l Minehead's opponents at the Recreation Ground tomorrow (Saturday) are Cadbury Heath, who will be making their first-ever visit (ko 3pm).

Formerly members of the Gloucester County League, they joined the Screwfix League two years ago and finished third from bottom of Division One last season.