GREENMEADOW boss Brian Brogden discovered the grass is not always greener as his Division Two table toppers dropped their first points of the season away at battling Blunsdon United Reserves.

A brace from the prolific Stuart Hodson looked to have sealed the points for Greenmeadow on a quagmire of a pitch at Sutton Park, before John L’estrange grabbed a deserved late leveller for the hosts.

Afterwards, Brogden described the playing conditions as “awful” but was full of praise for the way Blunsdon fought to the final whistle.

“They are the only team to really put in a shift for 90 minutes and to be honest Blunsdon got what they deserved,” said Brogden.

“Having said that, the pitch was in a terrible condition and that did not help matters.

“I know the game was called off up there the week before and to be honest I couldn’t believe we played.

“My defenders had to stand five yards off their markers because if you got too tight you would just slip and fall over.

“I don’t want to make excuses because Blunsdon battled very hard. In the end we were happy with a point.”

Jake Page fired the hosts in front with a free-kick that thundered against the bar before bouncing down over the line.

Hodson levelled for Greenmeadow with a neat turn and finish from the edge of the box, before heading his side in front in the second half.

The visitors held out until 10 minutes from time, when L’estrange headed home from a corner.

With second-placed Byrons Wanderers losing 3-2 at Swindon Irons, Brogden was able to force a smile on Saturday evening.

He admitted: “I was quite pleased when I saw that result come in.

“If we had lost on such a poor pitch and Byrons had won it would have been more difficult to take.

“We’re still unbeaten and that’s the main thing. Hopefully we can get back to winning ways again next week.”

Elsewhere in Division Two, Neil Lee was on target for Pembroke, who lost 7-1 at home to Castle Combe Reserves.

KMLC romped to an 8-0 away win over basement side Wilton, while Ramsbury drew 1-1 at Marlborough United reserves.

Goals from Nick Bozer, Jake Johnson and Calvin Spencer gave Moredon Cheney a narrow 3-2 success over Division One outfit Wroughton Reserves in the second round of the Fountain Trophies KO Cup.