THE battle of the top two ended in a draw as AFC Gas clawed themselves back from 2-0 down to level matters away at New Century.

Warren Fuller and Callum Parsons struck to give the hosts the lead before the break, with Lee Smith grabbing a brace after the interval to ensure both teams took a point.

New Century battled on in the second half with only 10 men after both Mani Roper and goalkeeper Kurtis Sharkey were sent off for their part in a melee, but despite being unhappy with the decision New Century boss Ade Roper was happy to take a point.

“We were 2-0 up and maybe could have had a few more because we looked pretty comfortable,” he said. “Our goalkeeper only had a couple of crosses to catch in the first half and then they managed to grab a couple of goals in the second half.

“We had the two players sent off when their player only got booked, but with only nine men we still had some chances but we couldn’t take them.

“Being 2-0 up and then being pegged back is always hard to take but the point is pretty good.”

Gas manager Alan Blake was pleased with the way his side battled back into the contest despite missing a number of key players.

“We went 2-0 down in the first half and we were under a lot of pressure but we swapped things around at the break and it seemed to work,” he said.

“We managed to pull the game back and held on for the draw which we had to be pleased about.

“It was a big game and a good result for us because our squad was a little bit light with a few players missing.

“We have a game in hand but we are under no illusions because it’s only halfway through the season and there’s still a lot of football to be played.”

Elsewhere in Division One Trak FC beat Inter Sandgate 4-1, while in Division Two both The Windmill and West Swindon Wanderers hit seven in their wins over Halcrow and AC Swindon.

FC Walcot beat Rudis 8-1 in Division Three while PL Motor Service were 7-2 victors over 1957 Parks, with KC Globe 6-0 winners over Rodbourne Real.

The standout game in Division Four was Stratton Saints’ 5-5 draw with bottom side Chiseldon Sunday, with Jamie Saunders hitting a hat-trick and Adam Wilkins netting a treble for Saints.

Chiseldon equalised late on through a well-placed free kick but despite being pegged back, Saints boss Alan Spring was pleased to have played a part in the game.

“It was a really good game to watch because you never knew which way it was going to go until the end,” he said.

“Fair play to Chiseldon because they kept on battling and they got the goal at the end.”

FS Swindon beat Smart Movers 4-0 in the week’s only over Division Four game.

Division Five leaders DBS beat Nationwide 7-2 while Rug Shack maintained their place at the top of the bottom division with a 2-0 success over AFC Royal.