ALTON 2, SALISBURY II 2

ALTON rescued a valuable point at Amery Hill, coming from behind to share four goals with Salisbury II.

After recording their first Hampshire 2 win of the season last week, Alton were hoping for more of the same and they certainly started the stronger side.

James Goulding-Stewart came agonisingly close to scoring and further decent chances came and went for Pete Howland and Tom Green as Alton dominated possession.

Salisbury then scored against the run of play, but Alton were quick to reply. First-team debutant Jamie Vincent made a good run into the circle and a foul on the young striker conceded a penalty stroke which Scott Reading dispatched with ease.

In the second half, Salisbury seemed to sense Alton’s growing frustration and the visitors edged back in front from a short corner, a drag-flick taking a cruel deflection off Jonny Dane’s stick to beat Lawrence Jones.

They left it late, but finally, with less than five minutes, the yellows made a final push and Goulding-Stewart got just enough on a fast ball in to beat the keeper and level the match at 2-2.

Alton board the ferry to the Isle of Wight this week.