Toolstation Western League
Premier Division
Bridgwater Town 1, Keynsham Town 1

BRIDGWATER Town missed the chance to close in on the league leaders, having played for 60 minutes with 10 men and 10 minutes with nine, at home to Keynsham Town on Tuesday night.

Jake Llewellyn put the hosts ahead at Fairfax Park, but after player-manager Dave Pearse was sent off, Mike Grist equalised and Llewellyn's late sin binning left them seriously undermanned.

After Dave O'Hare's header had drawn a routine save from Keynsham keeper Ash Clark, the Robins went ahead in the 17th minute.

Jack Taylor was tripped inside the box, and reliable penalty taker Llewellyn sent Clark the wrong way from the spot.

But shortly after going 1-0 up, the home side were down to 10 men, after Pearse stretched for the ball and fouled Jordan Anstey.

Anstey retaliated, Pearse appeared to exact some retribution, and he was shown red by the referee.

The visitors then dominated the rest of the first half, with Bridgwater sitting deep, but Craig Wilson, Ade Harvey and Matt Long all missed decent chances to equalise.

Home striker Steve Murray remained a threat on the counter, drawing a good save from Clark, while at the other end Stef Lee headed against the post and Sam Downes' powerful shot from 25 yards out was tipped over by Jake Viney.

However, from the resulting corner, Viney uncharacteristically spilled the ball and Grist levelled matters with three minutes to go until half-time.

Despite being pegged back, and being a man down, the Robins were the better side for much of the second half.

Murray went down in the box but his appeals for the penalty were dismissed, while at the other end Lee missed when well placed.

Murray then set up Taylor to put Bridgwater back ahead, only for the usually lethal marksman to slice his effort well wide.

The Robins had to play the final 10 minutes with nine men, as Llewellyn was sent to the sin bin for dissent; he had wanted to take a free-kick quickly and was plainly frustrated when it was not allowed to happen.

Keynsham did not go all out for a late winner, though, and it was the home side who came closest - O'Hare shooting over the top and Harry Horton being denied by a full-length Clark save.

Bridgwater Town: Jake Viney, Ollie Morris, Jake Llewellyn, Harry Horton, Ross McErlain, Mark Armstrong, Dave Pearse, Dave O’Hare, Steve Murray, Jack Taylor, Sam Towler.

Bridgwater sit fifth in the table, nine points off leaders Bradford Town, going into this Saturday's match.

Keynsham are the opposition - again - but this time it is at their ground (the AJN Stadium), with a 2pm kick-off.