Welsh League Division Two

Briton Ferry Llansawel 2 Ammanford 2

Ammanford knew they would have to further up their game after last week’s 5-0 victory if they were to have any hope of gaining anything at league leaders Briton Ferry Llansawel.

The hosts had to date lost just one and drawn one all season.

Unusually, Ammanford had the luxury of selecting from a full squad – apart from manager Gruff Harrison who was away on holiday – and assistants Ryan Stevens and Colin Haynes stepped up to the task and responded superbly with their game plan and substitution decisions.

Both sides were forced into some early desperate defending in a whirlwind opening spell when first Owen James caused panic in the Ferry box before the ball was cleared up-field and the visitors were on the back-foot, conceding a freekick on edge of the box.

In a seesaw game, Ammanford striker James lobbed the keeper and skipped around him to fire an effort at the open goal only to see the ball strike the foot of the post and bounce clear.

Ammanford thought they had just reward for their efforts a few minutes later when the referee pointed to the spot. Last week’s four-goal hero Mathew Fisher stepped up but blasted his spotkick high over the bar.

The missed proved costly as, on 40 minutes, Ferry took the lead with a well-placed header from a free-kick. A second for the hosts saw Ammanford two goals down going into the break despite the visitors enjoying their fair of possession and chances.

The visitors continued to press after the break and on 60 minutes a goalmouth scramble saw Fisher prove the man of the moment yet again as he made no mistake from close range.

Stevens and Haynes rang the changes in search of an equaliser and the tactic could have proved costly with Rano forced to pull off a couple of fine saves.

Deep into injury time Ammanford were given a second penalty, but Ashley Richards saw his effort from 12 yards saved only for the referee ordered the kick retaken.

With eight minutes of additional time played, Richards made no mistake at the second time of asking to claim a massive point and a happy return for Harrison.

Next week, Ammanford travel to second-placed Garden Village.