MINEHEAD finally returned to action after only two games since Christmas and shared a 2-2 draw away to high-flying Wells City Reserves in Division One West of the Somerset County League.

Against a side who have been second in the league for much of the season and have lost only once, Minehead really needed a win to maintain any remote chance of staying in the promotion race, but it wasn’t to be.

On a bumpy pitch, the home side started more fluently and captain Dan Catley competently beat Blues keeper Sam Tarr from 12 yards with just six minutes on the clock after a clumsy challenge on playmaker Ross Padfield by Felix Ndiomo was enough to make the referee point to the spot.

Catley was then guilty of missing a golden opportunity of making it 2-0 from a free header at the far post, but Wells didn’t have to wait too long to double their advantage when, with Minehead defenders making a big appeal for handball, the ball fell sweetly for defender Sam Andrews to rifle home from ten yards out, giving Tarr little chance.

Minehead seemed to realise they needed to attack and force mistakes rather than waiting for opportunities to present themselves, and play became more concentrated in the middle of the park and towards the Wells end.

Manager Chris Newbold looked likely to score with a close-range header but Steve Coppell in the home goal was good enough to keep it out.

Then with half-time drawing near, an enterprising move finished with Aaron Ireton’s goalbound shot being blocked near the line.

Minehead finally got their reward in the last minute of the half when a perfect centre from just inside the box by Damion Redman was pulled back by Guy Burns, allowing Jack Furse to fire home from ten yards out.

Minehead continued in the same vein at the start of the second period and were soon on level terms when a well-struck 25-yard free-kick from Furse beat Coppell at his near post.

Now enjoying their best period in the match, the visitors looked likely to add more goals, and penalty appeals from both Redman and Burns were waved away by the referee.

Furse’s free-kicks continued to spell danger, and one was tipped around the post for a corner before Ireton talked his way into the referee’s book for remonstrating that his effort from outside the box had taken a deflection.

A Mike Mullen effort from a corner was also blocked near the goal-line, but as the game wore on the home side came back into contention, and the final quarter saw play go from end to end as both sides looked for the winner.

Some argy bargy towards the end, following Wells’ Charlie Crook’s aggressive reaction to Mike Graddon’s bustling, saw the majority of both teams become involved.

When things calmed down, both players were shown straight red cards, and by the end of the game no fewer than eight players had been shown yellows, taking much of the limelight away from the importance of the match itself.

Minehead: S Tarr, C Newbold, M Cracknell, A Gubb, M Mullen, F Ndiomo, M Graddon, A Ireton, D Redman, J Furse, G Burns, subs G Hodgson, M Ronan (both used), S Lynch.

l The Blues are without a match tomorrow (Saturday), but supporters then have six home games in a row to look forward to, taking them into April.

The first is a midweek fixture on Wednesday (March 9), when Portishead Town Reserves visit Irnham Road for a 7.45pm kick-off.

l Watchet Town, who were without a fixture last Saturday, are away to Yatton Athletic in the Premier Division tomorrow.