Droitwich Spa 2, Evesham Utd Ladies 2

SUNDAY'S dour struggle saw Evesham having to settle for a share of the spoils against determined hosts.

United had the better of the early exchanges but lacked the composure to turn chances into goals with the best seeing a fierce shot from Amy Summers being pushed on to a post by the goalkeeper.

Further chances went begging before Evesham were caught on the break in the 33 rd minute and the advancing Mandy Upton was helpless to prevent Droitwich taking the lead.

Becky Handy's timely tackle prevented a second but the sides level nine minutes before half-time when Sam Perry superbly hooked the ball over the keeper after being set up by Summers.

Lola Hughes headed Handy's corner narrowly too high before United looked to have taken the lead when Charlene McLoughlin's fine free-kick found the top corner, but a linesman's flag led to the referee disa- llowing the effort.

United started the second half strongly with both Parry and McLou-ghlin forcing the home keeper into saves. However, they weren't t be denied and made it 2-1 after 69 minutes when McLoughlin, played in by Danielle Hemming, outpaced three defenders before firing home.

Droitwich began to pressurise the United defence who were finding it increasingly difficult to clear their lines and it came as no surprise when the equaliser arrived with just seven minutes left on the clock.

The goal earned the hosts a welcome first point of the season on an afternoon when Evesham were made to pay for their inability to turn chances into goals.

The ladies are at Common Road on Sunday (2pm) when the visitors are Redditch VC.