ADIE Arnold admits Verwood Town’s “naïve” nature is enough to drive him round the bend – despite it helping to secure a last-ditch leveller at Bemerton Heath Harlequins on Saturday.

The 1-1 Western Way draw was the only game in the entire Sydenhams League programme to survive another week of heavy rain and it was former AFC Bournemouth and AFC Totton defender Matt Oldring who rescued the Potters a late Premier Division point after Danny Young had fired the Wilshire side into the lead.

With four minutes of added time being played, Bemerton goalkeeper Max Frampton upended frontrunner Jack Lovell in the penalty area.

Oldring did the honours from 12 yards to secure Verwood a creditable draw against the seventh-placed hosts.

But while Arnold was full of praise for his players’ never-say-die attitude, he believes his raw rookies will need more nous to make a greater impression on the Wessex top flight.

“It came very late, but the equaliser was thoroughly deserved on the back of a really good performance,” he said.

“Fair play to Bemerton, they know exactly how to play at this level.

“They have two very sharp, experienced strikers and reacted to a second ball and got their goal.

“But, as frustrating as it can be for a manager, the beauty of the fact we are quite naïve is that we also do not know when we’re beaten.

“The lads just kept plugging away and we got our rewards against one of the better sides in the division.

“Playing like that at somewhere like Bemerton sums up our season really.

“It’s the inconsistency that does my head in! There’s no in between with us. We’re either brilliant or shocking.”

Arnold hopes to see more of his players’ brilliant side tonight (Tuesday) when the 16th-placed Potters travel to rock-bottom Romsey Town.