ZAMARETTO LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: Chippenham Town 1 Halesowen Town 1 (From This Is Wiltshire)

ZAMARETTO LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION: Chippenham Town 1 Halesowen Town 1

10:55pm Tuesday 17th November 2009

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Luke Gullick's 89th-minute equaliser rescued a point for Chippenham Town tonight, in a game the Bluebirds should have had wrapped up by half time.

Gullick's low cross shot evaded visiting keeper Nick Bussey for his third goal in four games, just two minutes after the Yeltz had threatened to leave Hardenhuish Park with all three points, courtesy of Simon Johnson's low shot.

Johnson's drive from the edge of the box caught the unsighted Mark Scott, playing in his the second Bluebirds game since his one-month loan switch from Swindon Town, off guard, the ball spinning out of his hands and across the line.

But Gullick exchanged passes with Alan Griffin before netting, although there was still time for late drama as home sub Jon Davies was denied what seemed a nailed-on penalty by referee Paul Rees, after being tripped in the box by the visitors' Jamie Smith, much to the outrage of the home fans.

The drama of the final five minutes followed a preceding 85 in which the hosts had almost totally dominated.

Making just one change from Saturday's stalemate at Oxford City - Aaron Cornwall coming in for benched striker Alan Griffin, they forced at least a dozen first-half corners but failed to land the telling blow.

Indeed Halesowen nearly stole the lead on 11 minutes when Johnson just failed to connect with a diving header after a fierce cross from the left.

Most of the action was at the other end though, skipper Ross Adams just failing to connect with Cornwall's corner, then Lewis Powell volleying across goal.

Pacy Halesowen frontman Stefan Moore spurned the half's gilt-edged chance on 19 minutes, latching on to a long punt from Bussey only to fire straight at the excellent Scott with the goal gaping.

Chippenham's Sam Allison then had two decent chances, firing straight at Bussey from the edge of the box, before his 30-yarder was brilliantly tipped over by the Yeltz gloveman.

Scott did likewise at the other end from midfielder Jay Denny, but the home onslaught continued after the break.

Powell's point-blank effort from blocked by Dennis Pearce and Ashley Williams's shot was deflected over.

With two changes, Halesowen were an improved side in the second half and sub David Blenkinsopp somehow managed to scoop the ball over the bar from five yards out on 58 minutes.

Allison and Gullick wasted further Chippenham chances before Bussey had to claw out a back-header from his own defender Stephan Morley with 20 minutes to go.

Seconds later, he stopped Allison who had sprinted clear of the defence and the follow-up header went wide.

With 10 minutes to go Blekinsopp shot wide when well placed, before Davies' curler towards the far corner was pawed clear by Bussey.

Chippenham Town: Scott, Adams (capt), Lamb, Williams, Tindle, Cayford, Lye, Gullick, Powell (Benison 89), Cornwall (Griffin 76), Allison (Davies 76). Subs not used: Casey, Martin.

Halesowen: Bussey, Connor (Smith 45), Morley, Eze, Pearce, Breward (Blenkinsopp 45), Johnson, Denny, Moore, Griffiths, Rickards. Subs not used: Craddock, Clarke, Flower.

Referee: Paul Rees (Bristol)

Attendance: 381

REACTION, PICTURES MORE TOWN NEWS & ADIE MINGS' COLUMN IN THURSDAY'S GAZETTE & HERALD AND FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES

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