CHARD Town drew 3-3 with Ashton and Backwell in the Toolstation league yesterday after conceding two late goals - despite their visitors being down to nine men.

It was game that looked at times as though it might boil over with the visitors questioning almost every refereeing decision that went against them.

However, to give Ashton and Backwell some credit they deserve a degree of praise for for coming back from a seemingly impossible situation.

Although Chard took the lead on 14 minutes with a well taken goal by Ed Butcher the home side were probably marginally second best.

Indeed, the North Somerset side soon equalised through Lee Delaney after 22 minutes with an opportunist effort while under pressure from from two Chard defenders.

Nevertheless Chard created a few good chances and in particular Louis Gillman went close from midfield with a couple of efforts.

With the Robins attacking up the slope in the second period the team began to improve the quality of their football.

Sam Clark had a memorable free kick palmed over the bar before he latched onto a corner from Andy Martin and powered a header into the net on 65 minutes to give the home side a deserved lead.

Then came the drama. Brendon Abood got himself sent off for two yellow cards and likewise, under similar circumstances, Connor Flicker left the field of play for an early shower. On 80 minutes Martin slipped the ball home to make it 3-1. Game over or so everyone thought.

Four minutes later substitute Sam Skidmore headed in to reduce the arrears and with time ticking away towards the final minute the denouement arrived. In a frenzied attack by the visitors Mark Scott took out an opposing player just outside the box for which he received his marching orders.

The resulting free kick was blocked by Nathan Whatley only for the rebound to fall to the other substitute Sam Thomas to lash into the net. In some quarters jubilation and in others bewilderment at having let go of such a lead.

Chard - Nathan Whatley, Craig Mawford (Jamie Barfoot 74 mins), Ben Haines, Mike McCormick (Shaun Wells-Burr 46 mins), Mark Scott, George Chlopecki, Andy Martin, Louis Gillman, Sam Clark (Braeden Symes 86 mins), Ed Butcher, Oscar Latas. Subs not used - Ben Mear, Nathan Warren.