Petersfield Town 1 Laverstock & Ford 1: THE RAMS were left to rue missed chances as Laverstock and Ford fought back to earn a draw on a tough pitch at Love Lane on Saturday in Division One of the Sydenhams Wessex League.

Petersfield received an early boost when Laverstock were reduced to ten men on 15 minutes. Last man Ollie Burton-Roe was sent off when his awkward lunge left the referee with no choice.

Laverstock’s Russell Jones had the first real effort of the game when he displayed good skill to turn Kris Stevens and feint past Lewis Tosdevine, only to fire wide.

The Rams looked dangerous when they went forward, with a good chance falling for Matt Low. Marvin Orepo dribbled across the pitch to Laverstock’s box before sending the ball across the goal to Low, who slid in and sliced his close-range effort over.

Petersfield could have taken the lead and would have if it wasn’t for Tom Robert’s superb reactions. A corner was whipped in and Harry Tremlett’s free header was heading in, but Roberts stuck out a strong palm to keep it out.

The Rams were determined to find a winner in the second half.

Charlie Merritt weaved into the area and bundled the ball past Roberts, but goalline heroics kept the game goalless.

Petersfield kept plugging away and eventually made the breakthrough.

Substitute Jordan Neal bagged the goal with his first touch. A lofted cross from Stevens into a dangerous area was met by Low, and the ball fell to Neal to tap into the open goal.

Chea Sykes thought he had equalised following a good move, but it was ruled out by the linesman.

Petersfield pushed for a second goal, and Low missed a couple of glorious chances.

The first chance came from a counter attack and ended with Low through one-on-one against Laverstock keeper Roberts, who stuck out a leg and blocked the effort.

The second chance ended with Low through again and running in on goal, but his shot came off his shin and went wide from close range.

Laverstock made the Rams pay for their wasted chances.

Stevens went shoulder to shoulder against a Laverstock striker in the box, which ended with Stevens barging over his man.

Chea Skyes converted the spot kick into the bottom right-hand corner to earn the visitors a share of the spoils.