STRIKER Mo Bettamer’s tenth goal of the season earned battling Aldershot Town a deserved point against highflying Harrogate Town at the EBB on Saturday.

Bettamer smashed a right-footed drive low past Harrogate keeper James Belshaw a minute before the break after excellent work from the returning Craig Tanner to cap a fine first 45 minutes for Danny Searle’s men.

But Harrogate, who sit second in the National League behind leaders Barrow, stormed back after the break and Lloyd Kerry struck a sweet equaliser from the edge of the box past Shots keeper Mitch Walker, who got a hand to the ball could only push it into the top left corner.

Aldershot, who were beaten by a cruel stoppage-time goal in North Yorkshire in the first fixture bewteen the two sides, finished strongly and Bettamer had two sights of goal but failed to beat Belshaw either time.

The Shots sit 18th after the intriguing 1-1 draw, six points clear of the relegation zone, having drawn three of their last four games.

Badshot Lea suffered their first defeat since December 21 when they were beaten 2-1 by Cobham at the Reg Madgwick Stadium.

Trailing 2-0 to an early penalty and a goal three minutes after half-time, Lea were given a lifeline when substitute Lionel Masudi headed home Darren Blake’s cross from the right before the home side were reduced to ten men on 77 minutes.

But Lea couldn’t make their numerical advantage tell and lost for the first time this year to stay 13th in the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League.

In-form Farnham Town made it five wins in a row as they edged out bottom side Eversley & California 1-0 at the Memorial Ground, courtesy of a 35th-minute goal from striker Charlie Oakley.

Oakley netted for the fifth consecutive game, after fine work from young Kye Nash, as Farnham opened up a seven-point lead over third-placed Bedfont & Feltham in their quest for a top-four finish and promotion back to the top flight.

In the Sydenhams Wessex League, Premier Division leaders Alresford Town’s promotion hopes were dented as they were beaten 1-0 by Fareham Town at Arlebury Park.

The defeat leaves the Magpies two points ahead of nearest challengers AFC Stoneham, but the chasers have two games in hand ahead of a huge game between the top two next Saturday.

In Division One, Alton Town fought back from 2-0 down to grab a point in an eventful game away at basement boys Folland Sports, who ended the game with nine men.

Goals from Danny Cox and Joshua Ball gave Folland Sports a shock half-time lead before a penalty from Phil Moore and a goal from Matt Grindel levelled the scores after an hour.

Neither side could force a winner but Folland had substitute Mike Douglas and Jack Barnes sent off in a dramatic finish.

The draw drops the Brewers to sixth place in the race for the top four, six points behind leaders US Portsmouth.

In the Hampshire Premier League, Steve Harding’s third goal in two games wasn’t enough to stop Liphook United sliding to a 2-1 defeat at Stockbridge.

Harding scored from the spot to cancel out Josh Graham’s opener on 44 minutes, but Matt Hawkes sealed the points for the home side seven minutes from time.

And a Mauro Morais goal ten minutes from time proved to be too little too late as Liss Athletic were beaten 2-1 at home by Overton United, who had Charlie Hart and Ross Cook on target within the first 20 minutes of the second period after a goalless first half.

In Division One, goals in each half from Richard McCann and Tom Reffell earned Headley United a 2-2 draw at home to Upham.