FAIRFIELD came away with a creditable draw despite fielding a depleted side through suspensions and work commitments.

The visitors started the game brightly despite the heavy pitch conditions, and in the first 20 minutes it needed home keeper Andy Pring to pull off two good saves to stop Villa from taking the lead. First he saved well from debutant Simon Deakin and then from Gary Hay.

In the 35th minute, Waine Devey had a header cleared off the line by a home defender but two minutes later Villa's debutant keeper Kenny Sanders pulled off a good save when Derek Christopher broke clear and shot.

Three minutes before half time a defensive mistake allowed Christopher to score.

In the 65th minute Villa equalised when a free kick by Wayne Davies was headed on by Ian Brown for Devey to put the ball into the net at the far post. Five minutes later Villa took the lead when Devey steered the ball past Pring.

Two minutes later Pring saved at the feet of Devey to prevent him scoring his third.

Twelve minutes from the end the home side equal-ised when Villa gave away the ball in midfield and Dean Baker broke through to score with an unstoppable shot past Sanders.

l Fairfield's match on December 23 is away to Mile Oak Rovers, KO 2.45pm. Boxing Day: home to Shirley Town, KO 11.30am at Northfield.