MOST managers would not be happy with surrendering a 3-0 half-time lead, but Purton Reserves boss Albert Dearing was just relieved to avoid defeat following a brilliant fightback by Bradford.

Purton seized control in the first period courtesy of Billy Sly, Jamie Sheppard and Devan Bryan, but three second-half goals from the visitors meant honours were even at the final whistle.

“We were 3-0 up at half-time but they were probably slightly the better side, they played the better football but we took our chances,” said Dearing.

“Straight after half-time we had the chance to take it to 4-0 but the ball was cleared off the line.

“They got back to 3-3 and were very unlucky not to win the game, so in the end a point was quite good for us.

“Fair play to them because they were the better side on the day.

“We didn't play very well but the fact we've taken a point off Bradford means it's not as bad as it seems.”

Sly opened the scoring when he won the ball on the corner of the penalty area and lobbed the goalkeeper with a superb strike.

Following up on his own initial shot, Sheppard extended the lead and Bryan made it 3-0 with a drive from outside the box.

However, a scorcher of a free kick early in the second half set Bradford on their way and after they scored twice more to level, they could even have snatched three points.

Following the result, Purton are still well-placed in the Wiltshire Premier and will still go top if they win their games in hand.

Elsewhere in the division on Saturday, there was an almighty thrashing for Beversbrook at the hands of Chippenham Park, Lee Ashby's side losing 8-0.

Southbrook also tasted defeat, being sunk 4-0 by Wilts Calne Town, while Marlborough were edged out 3-2 by Trowbridge.

There were only four games in Division One and Madames kept their 100 per cent winning record going with a 9-2 victory over AFC Wroughton.

Madames have now won 11 out of 11 and are 11 points clear at the top of the standings.

Chippenham Park Reserves' chase of Madames may look ill-fated but they secured a comfortable 6-2 win over Wootton Bassett Dev, while South Marston triumphed by the same scoreline against Malmesbury Vics Reserves.

The only other match saw Nalgo defeat Marlborough Reserves 4-2.