Harpenden Town had to settle for a 2-2 draw at bottom side Winslow United on Saturday after twice leading in their South Midlands Division One match.

It was the first game in six weeks for Harpenden due to the quirks of the fixture programme and weather disruption.

Manager Danny Plumb said: “I am very disappointed that we only got a draw after being ahead twice but it was our first game back after a six-week lay off.

“Looking for positives it was exciting to see youngsters coming up from the reserves and playing well.

“The lads showed a great deal of commitment and it was a good start to the second half of the season.”

Charlie Gould showed promise on the left from the outset and a shot from the edge of the box towards the top corner produced a fine save from the Winslow keeper to deny Town after just seven minutes.

Harpenden took the lead early in the second half when Gould crossed from the left and Harry Hunt headed on to the post. Stu Henderson pounced on the rebound to net from close range.

Winslow equalised after 65 minutes when a corner led to a goalmouth scramble, which was knocked in by striker James Bishop.

The visitors regained the lead in the last ten minutes when Gould raced down the left, beat his man and then slid the ball past the keeper into the far corner of the net. It was his first goal for Harpenden after moving up from the reserve team, which was relaunched this season.

But just minutes later Winslow were awarded a disputed free-kick outside the box and left-back Hateley Mercer scored with a superb strike from 25 yards into the corner of the net.

Harpenden’s next home match is against third-placed Hatfield Town on Saturday at Rothamsted Park.