HIGHWORTH Town ladies returned from a two-week break to earn a 2-2 draw with Wiltshire County Women’s League table-toppers Melksham Town Black.

At home, unbeaten and with two games in hand Highworth went into the first half confident, putting together some fantastic attacking play to force Melksham on to the back foot.

After 11 minutes Marina Claus broke the deadlock to give the hosts the lead. Having been put through on goal after a long ball from the Highworth midfield, Claus remained calm to chip the Melksham ‘keeper.

Highworth kept attacking off the back of some great defensive work from left back Hannah Luker and captain Lauren Coward, but couldn't break through Melksham's strong back line again.

Melksham were next to go close. A spilled ball in the centre allowed the visitors to strike for goal but they were denied as ‘keeper Vanessa Eve tipped it past the post.

However Melksham were unpeturbed and after 36 minutes equalised putting the score 1-1 at the end of the first half.

After half time Highworth went out determined to regain their attacking front. However on 62 minutes it was Melksham who caught Highworth off guard making the score 1-2. Determined to never give up Highworth continued to play their passing game and pushed Melksham onto the back foot attacking at every angle.

After some hard work from Sarah Rayworth on the left, Anna Margetts and Hannah Dalgliesh took it in turns to go close to a leveller, both beating Melksham's back line only to be denied by the woodwork.

Though the Worthys were not to be denied. With ten minutes to go Shannon Gabb cleared a ball to Dalgleish who played a neat through ball to Kerry Walklett to take on the Melksham back line. She beat them all and took it around the keeper to slot the ball in ending the game 2-2.