WATCHET were denied their second win of the season on Saturday when visitors Robinsons snatched an equaliser with the game deep into stoppage time.

The home side had been pushed further back as they clung on to the lead Sam Lobley's debut goal had given them before their spirited resistance was broken right at the end.

Without Robbie Hopkins and the injured Lawrence Monaghan, Watchet had teenagers Wayne Merrick and Lobley making their first Senior League starts, and along with David Ruddy, who was called up from the Reserves, they produced creditable performances.

There was not an over-abundance of incident in either goalmouth, but Watchet shaded the first-half honours largely through sheer endeavour than creativity.

Robinsons missed two early chances with shots off-target as the home side took time to settle, and for the first 45 minutes the visitors looked lethargic.

Nick Criddle was winning everything he went for in the air and his presence at the near post for Mark Clausen's long throws caused the Robinsons' defence huge problems, but the Red and Blacks failed to capitalise on his flick-ons.

From Watchet's best move of the half, Paul Raymond set up Pat Dorrington for a first-time cross on the run which had Lobley diving in bravely at the near post, only for a defender's slight intervention to force a goalkick.

Once Watchet had adapted to a change in their opponents' formation at the start of the second half they continued to hold their own by battling hard all-round.

Some long clearances from Steve Moore caused problems and from one Steve Wild broke free to poke his shot wide of the advancing keeper, but also past the post.

Robinsons were beginning to force Watchet to defend deeper, but it was the home side who took the lead somewhat fortuitously on the hour.

There seemed little danger as Lobley floated a cross in from the left, but the keeper lost the ball, apparently in the sun, and it ended up in the back of the net.

The Bristol outfit's pressure became more concerted after this, but a resolute Watchet rearguard, with Dave Spence, Clausen and Ruddy solid, looked to be well capable of soaking it up. They also had opportunities on the break to score the goal which would probably have made the three points safe if they had used their options better, with Dave Ridge's pass not finding Wild, who in turn had a cross and a shot blocked by the keeper.

Watchet brought on another youngster, Liam Woolgrove, to replace the tiring Lobley and he was unable to find the unmarked Criddle with an early pass.

Just when it looked as if the Red and Blacks would hold on for a valuable win, they failed to clear a Robinsons' corner in time added on and the ball was forced home from close range.

Watchet: S Moore, W Merrick, D Spence, M Clausen, D Ruddy, P Dorrington, S Lobley, N Criddle, P Raymond, D Ridge, S Wild, subs L Woolgrove, N Sully, D Knight.

l Tomorrow Watchet are at home again in the first round of the Senior League Knockout Cup for Premier and First Division teams when they play Clevedon United Reserves, ko 2.30 p.m.