Sending off changes game and Wells hang on for a point

Wells City's title hopes in Toolstation League Division 1 remain in their own hands despite letting a two-goal lead slip against struggling Devizes Town.

The Blues looked tense and were not at their best but went two goals ahead soon after half-time before the sending off of midfielder James Batchelor for a dangerous challenge turned the game.

Batchelor was shown a straight raid for an alleged challenge on a Devizes defender, the referee indicating that Batchelor challenged with one foot off the ground.

It was one of those challenges where some referees give a yellow, others a red card, but Batchelor, who is not a dirty player will feel harshly treated.

The home side created some good opportunities as Leon Britton was unlucky to see an attempted back-heel just fail to beat Matthew Tilley in the Devizes goal after good work from Jake Brown and Scott Saunders.

Devizes were awarded a penalty on 12 minutes when Nathan Rendell's attempted clearance bounced back off his hand but Jordon Matthews' spot-kick came back off the post.

City were not at their most fluent but took a deserved lead on 40 minutes when a Lee Pitman corner was headed home by Britton.

Devizes should have equalised within 90 seconds as a Jamie Waters corner was met by the head of Jamie Liallin but he headed wide from six yards.

City doubled their advantage early in the second half when an attempted clearance from a Jake Brown cross saw the unlucky Dan Sloan slice the ball into his own net.

The Batchelor sending off changed the course of the game as the visitors reduced the arrears within seven minutes when Jamie Waters headed home Sloan's cross.

A brilliant 50-yard dash out of defence from Scott Saunders set up a chance for Pitman but his effort went inches wide.

Devizes rescued a point on 88 minutes when Rob Mitchell's 30-yard shot flew past Will Justin and into the bottom corner.

Wells host Ashton & Backwell on Saturday before visiting Wincanton Town on Monday.

Merv's merit marks: W Justin 7, A Allen 7, O Bryant 7, S SAUNDERS 8, N Rendell 7, D Spill 7, S Sokol 6, J Batchelor 6 (sent off), L Britton 7, L Pitman 6, J Brown 6.

Referee: Neil Wilcox 5.

Entertainment value: 6.