AFC TOTTON boss Steve Hollick felt “gutted” for his players in the wake of yesterday's 2-2 home draw with Tiverton Town in the Southern One South & West.

While it was a decent response to the 2-0 FA Trophy defeat at Tivvy’s hands seven days previously, there was no disguising the disappointment of letting a two-goal lead slip and conceding the equaliser at the death.

The Stags made a flying start when Marc Diaper’s cross-cum-shot evaded everybody, including Tivvy goalkeeper Joe Perry, with just two minutes gone.

Then, on 15 minutes, Totton talisman Mike Gosney doubled their advantage, letting fly with a sweetly-struck drive to the delight of a 313-strong Non-League Day crowd.

Tiverton began to grow into the contest and finished the half the stronger. They halved the deficit through Owen Howe who then forced a great double save from Stags 'keeper Steve Mowthorpe.

Totton had opportunities to put the game to bed as the second half wore on with Neil Williams forcing a decent save from Perry and Nathaniel Sherborne having a penalty shout turned down.

Tivvy came again - Ben Mammola heading just over and Mowthorpe saving James Richards’ rasping free-kick - before Totton surrendered one last chance when Nick Watts fired inches wide from Craig Feeney's assist.

There was a sense of inevitability in the air that Tiverton would make them pay and those fears were confirmed when Howe unleashed a screamer for 2-2.

“It was an absolute worldy, but I’m gutted for the lads,” said Hollick.

“It was a proper ‘old school’ game of Southern League football and we played well against a very good side.

“But, from the lads’ point of view, it was heartbreaking to have victory snatched away in the last minute.

“Before the game we'd probably have taken a draw, but the way we played we deserved the three points.

“We’d learned our lessons from last week and the lads took all the instructions on board. They deserved more.”

Totton return to action on Wednesday, away to AFC Stoneham in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup.