WELLINGTON, down to ten men for almost all of the game, snatched a last-gasp goal to earn a splendid point in the 2-2 draw at Brislington in the Premier Division of the Jewson Western League.

Manager Richard Cherry was without eight players and named a side which included no fewer than four new signings.

They had hardly got to know each other when their task was made even harder inside the opening five minutes.

Brislington’s Jordan Scadding broke down the right and was brought down by Nathan Byrne, who was judged to be the last man and was shown a straight red card, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Wellington dug in admirably. Miles Quick, returning to the side in defence, was quickly into the action, doing well to divert a goalbound effort wide for a corner after six minutes.

At the other end, Tom Mortimore almost stunned the home side when his first-time drive flew narrowly wide of the post.

James De Selincourt then had a good chance when a free-kick was flicked into his path but his shot went wide of the target.

Brislington thought they had taken the lead after 33 minutes, only for the flag to be raised for offside to deny them, before Wellington broke the deadlock just before the break.

Striker Jaden Maslen was brought down in the box and De Selincourt kept his nerve from the penalty spot to give the ten men a 1–0 lead.

Maslen nearly doubled the advantage in stoppage time but was denied by the keeper’s legs after a sharp counter-attack.

The pressure inevitably increased after the interval and Wellington keeper Andrew Collings produced a series of excellent saves to keep his side in front, including a brilliant push over the bar after 55 minutes.

Brislington’s persistence finally paid off seven minutes later when the ball was played across goal for Ben Snell to net the equaliser from close range.

Snell then rattled the crossbar before the hosts took the lead after 72 minutes as Jake Packham flicked home a cross from the left.

With defeat looming, Wellington refused to lie down and produced a stunning late equaliser.

In their previous game, they had been robbed of a draw against leaders Clevedon Town by a goal in the 89th minute – this time, it was their turn to score at exactly the same point in the game.

The ball broke out to Sam Towler more than 30 yards from goal and he showed great technique to produce a hooked shot which flew low past keeper Ryan Smallwood to spark wild celebrations.

There was still time for Towler to save the day at the other end as he blocked a goalbound shot in stoppage time.

The midfielder’s Christmas cracker ensured a deserved point for Cherry’s battling side, who would probably settled for a draw early on when the visitors were reduced to ten men following the sending off of Byrne. Considering all the changes it was a spirited display by Wellington.

Wellington: Andrew Collings, Jordan Hayman, Nathan Byrne, Miles Quick, Tom Stone, Glen Wright, Tom Mortimore, Sam Towler, Jaden Maslen, James De Selincourt, Charlie Shearer. Substitutes: Alfie Slough, Jack Alcock, Abdel Maikoussa, Charlie Wood (used); Josh Young (not used).