Fawley 1 Alresford Town 1: THIS was an important point for an Alresford team whose last point came back in September.

A win wouldn’t have been undeserved for the Magpies, who were the better team in the first half, and missed chances in the second which could have made the game safe. With Brian Howard, Harry Draycott and Simon Everett passing the ball smoothly against a tentative Fawley, Alresford dominated the opening exchanges without threatening the home side’s goal.

The visitors got an unpleasant reminder of how the direct approach can pay off when Fawley skipper Callum Tanner hit the outside of Mike Weatherall’s right-hand post with their first real attack.

Half time had almost arrived without the goal the Magpies’ control deserved. But then a crunching tackle from Ben Stanbrook won the ball in the inside-left channel and fed Sammy Carter, and his first-time left-wing centre was steered in at the far post by Tom Donaldson.

The second half saw the home side pressing hard. Nevertheless, Alresford were unlucky with two good chances to score. First the Howard brothers combined, Brian playing in John. His clever chip hit the bar. Then, with Alresford pressing after a free kick, John Mulhern shot over at full stretch.

The game turned not on those misses, but on two injuries. First, Jamie Bentley had to leave the centre of defence, still suffering from the effects of the kick he got against Tadley Calleva.

And ten minutes after half time, Harry Draycott’s knee problem forced him out of the midfield fray. With the Magpies still off balance after reorganising, Fawley took a short corner, and centre forward Dan Fry headed the equaliser.

Alresford dug in – Sammy Carter shot over, and Adam Carrick made an impressive saving tackle with seven minutes left. So both sides had to settle for a point apiece. Alresford will be hoping that it’s the first of many before Christmas.