AFC TOTTON boss Steve Riley felt his young side came of age in the eventful 1-1 draw at home to Larkhall Athletic in the Southern One South & West tonight.

Both sides were reduced to ten men in what Riley described as “a big, physical contest from start to finish”.

Totton’s Chris Onoufriou was the first to get his marching orders for what was deemed to be a professional foul on Tyler Sibbick, though Liam Hibberd was covering.

Sibbick it was who fired Larkhall ahead in the opening minute of first-half stoppage time, but there was still plenty of drama in store for the 262 Testwood Stadium crowd ahead of the half-time whistle.

Two minutes later Nathaniel Sherborne forced a throw-in and, as the ball came in, he squeezed a delightful pass between centre-half and full-back for Craig Feeney to run onto.

Totton’s top scorer was tugged back by Larks skipper Oliver Price and he too was sent off before Feeney tucked away the penalty.

The Stags had chances a plenty to win it in the second half, notably when Rob Flooks hit the bar.

“We just didn’t have that bit of luck in front of goal, but I was impressed with our lads tonight,” said Riley.

“It was hard work, it really was, against a really strong, physical side. But our boys stood up to them, kept their discipline and, if any team was going to win it in the second half, we were.”

Totton are at home again on Saturday against Hereford United in the FA Trophy first qualifying round.