RORY Simmons grabbed a late equaliser to secure Holsworthy a 2-2 draw with mid-table Wadebridge Town at Upcott Field on Saturday.

The Magpies were looking to bounce back from a surprise defeat to Launceston in midweek, and were without boss Kevin Squire who was attending a coaching course in Plymouth.

Reverting back to a 3-5-2 formation, Holsworthy started brightly and twice in the first 15 minutes saw top-scorer Ben Sharpe have chances.

Firstly, he did well to send the ball towards the far post, but centre-half James Baker just beat Owen Lauderdale to the ball, while he then couldn’t get a clean connection and keeper Ollie Sidey was able to get out quickly and smother.

However, the Bridgers took the lead against the run of play on 26 minutes as after Ryan Chadwick hashed a clearance, Joe Munday picked up possession before getting past Jedd Peschke and finding the net.

Sharpe sent a one-on-one wide and Holsworthy’s task was seemingly made harder when Simmons was sin-binned for dissent just past the half-hour mark.

However, while he was off the hosts equalised on 37 minutes. A good move down the left ended with Lauderdale sending a superb ball to the far post where wing-back Sam Lynam fired a shot into the roof of the net.

But Wadebridge again showed a ruthless streak six minutes later as Callum Martyn miscontrolled a pass and Jack Clarke’s deflected shot went in at the near post.

Gabe Rutter hit the side-netting for the Devonians before the break, but the second half was an attritional affair with both sides struggling to create chances, the flashpoint being the referee reversing his decision to award a penalty on Sharpe after consulting with his linesman. It must be said that the home dugout agreed with the outcome.

Wadebridge were understandably keen to sit on their lead but were undone in the third minute of injury-time.

Chadwick sent a high ball into the box which was flicked on by Gavin Carter, Peschke moved it on to Simmons who swept it into the net to the delight of the majority of the 120-strong crowd.

Assistant boss Adam Wosnitzka, in charge in Squire’s absence, felt the point was the least they deserved.

He said: “I was pleased with how we played in the first half. Beforehand we set out a clear gameplan which the players followed to a tee, but we went into half-time in a difficult position because of the two errors we made.

“The second half wasn’t as good as it became scrappy, but on the whole I was fairly pleased as when you’re moments away from coming away with nothing, to salvage a point is pleasing.”

He continued: “I felt it was the least we deserved really, but we know that we need to become more ruthless at both ends of the pitch. If we don’t make those mistakes or miss those chances, it’s a different dynamic, but that’s been – for several of the games – the story of our October.”

The Magpies are back in action on Saturday, November 14 when they visit in-form Sticker (3pm).

HOLSWORTHY: Ryan Chadwick; Jedd Peschke (capt), Callum Martyn, George Plumb; Sam Lynam, Gavin Carter, Rory Simmons, Gabe Rutter, George King; Ben Sharpe, Owen Lauderdale. Subs: Jeff Anglia, Aaron Hart, Craig Penberthy.

Magpies’ man-of-the-match: Owen Lauderdale.