HORNDEAN are in ninth place in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division after producing an impressive comeback to earn an unlikely 3-3 draw at Newport IOW on Saturday afternoon.

The Deans got off to the worst possible start and fell behind within the first two minutes when Darren Powell’s shot found the back of the net. The home side doubled their advantage later in the first half when Joe Butcher’s corner went straight into the goal.

Horndean’s hopes of taking anything from the game appeared to be over when Tom McInnes tapped the ball into the goal in the second half.

However, the comeback started when Jack Maloney hit his penalty past Newport goalkeeper Gary Streeter.

The Deans were right back in the game when Mark Smith’s glancing header reduced the deficit to 3-2, and the visitors completed an unlikely comeback when Joe Richardson hit the ball into the net.