St John's 1, Halesworth Town 1AFTER their good win the previous week Town were hoping to do something they hadn't done all season so far, win back-to-back fixtures in the Suffolk and Ipswich League Division One.

St John's 1, Halesworth Town 1

AFTER their good win the previous week Town were hoping to do something they hadn't done all season so far, win back-to-back fixtures in the Suffolk and Ipswich League Division One.

In the previous game Town showed composure and determination which in the end gained them all three points.

This week, however, with the exception of Williams at the heart of the defence and Oakes in the Town goal, these qualities were lacking.

Town were struggling to keep the ball but when they still looked dangerous as both Richardson and Idle put in good early crosses. But St John's made more chances in the first half and Town were guilty of giving the ball away too easily, from the full-back positions especially.

Oakes, in the Town goal, was playing at the top of his game and made two fine saves to keep the scores level.

Then, when Prendergast won a free-kick wide right which Idle delivered, the ball hit an upright and Williams turned it into the net, 1-0 Town.

The second half was a bit of a backs-to-the-wall job as the defence were tested time and again, but Town stood their ground and looked to be getting away with things - again Oakes producing excellent saves.

Then a scrappy goal pulled St John's level, and worse was to follow for Town when for the second time in two games they had a player dismissed for retaliation.

Williams this week had the rush of blood and put himself forehead to forehead with a St John's player - who went down in a heap, leaving the referee with no choice.

The last 25 minutes were do-or-die for Town and the make-shift back four held firm, with Lewis Wright also making a good debut when he came on for the injured Ling.

Town nearly provided a smash and grab when Jeffries fed Prendergast to go one-on-one, only for the keeper to save well.

In the end Town will be happy with the point, but not happy with the performance.

This week Town entertain Stanton at Dairy Hill, Halesworth, kick-off 2.30pm.

The Reserves travel to AFC Crowley Reserves.