BROCKENHURST boss Pat McManus described Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Andover Town as a “welcome change” after a couple of “not particularly good results or performances.”

An eventful game at the Portway saw Brock’s early lead wiped out by two quickfire Andover strikes before Mark Barker restored parity with a twice-taken penalty.

With two minutes to go, keeper Callum Maher came to Brock’s rescue with a penalty save before Ryan Long was unlucky not to nick all three points for the visitors in a breathless, end-to-end Sydenhams Premier encounter.

“It was a game that had everything with chances at both ends,” said McManus. “Scott Joyce put us ahead from a free-kick inside the first ten minutes and then we weathered a bit of storm. Callum made a couple of good saves and Andover hit the bar towards the end of the first half.

“The second half was pretty even but, again, we withstood quite a bit of pressure.

“The turning point came when our central midfielder Ryan Woodford went off injured. We lost our shape a bit and Luke Dempsey, the guy Ryan had been marking on set-pieces, equalised and Andover went ahead straight afterwards (through Lewis Benson), which came as a bit of a jolt.”

The drama was far from over as Barker’s cross was handled in the box and his initial penalty was saved. But the referee spotted encroachment and ordered it to be retaken. This time Barker put it away.

“They probably felt aggrieved but it was a good game, very similar to the one at our place that also ended 2-2,” said McManus. “We needed that after losing to Verwood and Bournemouth when we didn’t turn up.”

Sixth-placed Andover face a big test tonight (Tuesday), away to league leaders and FA Vase quarter-finalists Salisbury.

Brock host Sholing this Saturday. The Boatmen's game against Verwood was postponed over the weekend, but they are back in action tomorrow (Wednesday, 7.45pm) at Winchester City in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup.