Airbus UK Broughton fought back from two goals down to secure what could prove to be a vital point against relegation rivals Carmarthen Town at Richmond Park.
A Luke Bowen brace had given the Old Gold a 2-0 lead, but goals from Alex Darlington and defender Liam Williams saw the Wingmakers return to north Wales with a point.
The result sees both sides remain level on points (12) in the relegation zone, three from safety after Penybont’s surprise 3-2 win away at Cefn Druids.
Managers Kristian O’Leary and Steve O’Shaughnessy will view this as an opportunity to create some breathing space missed, with just one game left to play in Phase One.
The hosts were in total control for the first forty minutes, with in-form striker Bowen finding the net twice.
The first came after just four minutes, when he got onto the end of a through ball from teenage full-back Alaric Jones and out-paced the Airbus defence to clip the ball over goalkeeper Dave Roberts.
The Old Gold controlled possession and territory on their 4G surface, with wide-man on the right Jordan Vickers enjoying space and being found regularly by Declan Carroll and Lewis Harling, who were dominant in the middle of the park.
Liam Thomas, Bowen and Vickers all had opportunities to extend the lead as the home side played some excellent one-touch football, with defensive midfielder Jay Woodford the fulcrum.
Airbus did create opportunities as full-back Brady McGilloway made inroads down the right to tee up George Hughes and debutant Craig Rogers, signed this week from Holywell Town, got the measure of the marauding Vickers.
Carmarthen were firmly in the driving seat when Bowen scored his fifth goal in his last three games, courtesy of midfielder Greg Walters’ driving run into the penalty area, with his ricocheted shot despatched from twelve yards by the confident front man.
As half-time approached, the home side seemed to have taken their foot off the gas, allowing Darlington to pull a goal back with a sublime twenty-five yard shot which curled beyond Lee Idzi to keep his side in the game.
Having been much the better side for the first 50 minutes of the game, Carmarthen surrendered their control for the next 25 as Andy Owens and George Peers stood out for the visitors.
O’Shaughnessey’s side were rewarded when Williams tucked his effort into an unguarded net at the front post after the ball had evaded the heads of the two front post defenders.
The game was even as it entered the last quarter of an hour, with Jake Phillips, Williams and Hughes playing key roles for the visitors.
Carmarthen skipper Lee Surman and Andrew Robbins – in his first game for the club since signing from Goytre United – withheld any forays of concern.
Carmarthen Town: Lee Idzi; Alaric Jones (Lewis Rocke), Lee Surman ©, Declan Carroll, Greg Walters, Luke Bowen, Lewis Harling, Jordan Vickers, Liam Thomas (Noah Daley), Jay Woodford, Adam Robbins
Airbus UK: David Roberts, Brady McGilloway, Kristian Platt ©, George Hughes, Andy Owens, Jake Phillips, George Peers (Ellis Hickey), Owen Payne, Liam Williams, Craig Rogers (James Hooper), Alex Darlington (Oliver Lancely)
See how the draw played out at Richmond Park:
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell and TL Sports Photography)
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