Deeping Rangers were denied victory by a late leveller as they shared the spoils with AFC Mansfield in the United Counties League on Saturday.

The Clarets had led three times in the Premier Division North match but on each occasion were pegged back by the Bulls including their last-gasp equaliser in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

It left manager Liam Hook admitting that the draw had felt like a defeat despite going toe-to-toe against their fourth-placed visitors.

Hook said: "It's never easy when you drop points so late in the game and it does feel like a loss because it was tough to take.

"We worked our way into the game and got ourselves into the driving seat but didn't put them to bed.

"We put ourselves into a great position but let them off the hook and we have to learn how to keep hold of a game and use some of the dark arts of football.

"Credit to the boys because they worked hard and we'll be absolutely fine because Mansfield are no soft touch. They are a good team and we're mixing it with sides at the top end by getting results or coming close.

"We could have taken all three points and we're not happy at only getting one because the boys have to learn to see games out properly."

Deeping handed a first start to goalkeeper Alfie Bird following his arrival from Premier Division South side FC Peterborough.

They got off to the perfect start by taking a ninth minute lead when Cal Davies skilfully worked an opening before firing Deeping ahead.

However, the lead lasted just 60 seconds before the Bulls produced an immediate response to equalise through Ryan Ingram.

The Clarets came close to regaining the lead with Michael Gash being denied by a fine save by visiting goalkeeper Josh Turton before Kyle Rowell slotted home an assured finish to make it 2-1 on the half-hour mark.

It was enough to give Deeping the lead at half-time but they were pegged back again just 12 minutes after the restart when Charlie Taylor bundled the ball home following a corner.

The visitors then had defender Kacper Rajter sent off when the former Grantham Town player committed a foul as the last man.

Rangers then went back in front with eight minutes remaining when Gash converted a cross from Will Bestwick.

However, they were then reduced to 10 men with two minutes left when Will Barnes was sent off for violent conduct after being involved in a melee.

And the Bulls took advantage by equalising deep into stoppage time as Dan Shelbourne bundled home the equaliser following another set piece.

Rangers remain at the foot of the table after the draw and travel to face seventh-placed Sherwood Colliery on Saturday.