Manderwood Pembrokeshire League Division One:

Goodwick United 1-1 Merlins Bridge

A late leveller from Adam Hawkins ensured Merlins Bridge took a point from Phoenix Park as league leaders Goodwick United were held to their second draw in three days.

With time running out, Hawkins made no mistake at the back post from Laurie Haworth's precise low cross, cancelling our Rhys Dalling's opener early in the second half.

But before the equaliser, it was Bridge keeper Gary Thomas who had kept his side in it with a super diving save to deny Jordan Griffiths from the penalty spot.

The result, coupled with Hakin losing 5-4 at home to Carew, means the title race is still wide open in Division One as the season heads to a frantic climax.

The clash had been in doubt this morning after lashing rain left surface water on the Phoenix Park pitch, and although it was cleared in time for kick off, the heavy conditions contributed to a scrappy first 45 minutes.

There was more in the way of physicality than quality early on, as Bridge centre back Richard Hughes stopped Matty Delaney in his tracks with a crunching tackle – before The Wizards lost Chris Ormond just five minutes in after a clash of heads with Goodwick forward Griffiths left him badly cut.

The first chance came when home keeper James Gwilt misjudged a long ball forward and handled outside his area, but after seeing yellow, he made amends by getting down low to gather Joe Leahy’s low free kick.

Goodwick skipper Raymond was also booked after clattering into Nathan Greene, before another half chance for The Wizards saw Laurie Haworth fire over from a tight angle after a short corner move with Luke Hayward.

At the other end Dalling fired straight at Bridge keeper Gary Thomas from long range, but the Phoenix Boys were left indebted to player manager Wayne O’Sullivan for keeping it at 0-0 as his sliding clearance cut out Hawkins’ low cross, with Greene placed to score at the back post.

Goodwick right back Steffan Hayes then did well to recover and deny Haworth as he latched onto Hayward’s long ball into the area, but all in all a disappointing first half ended goalless.

But seven minutes after the break it was Dalling, back in the starting line up after a lengthy injury, who broke the deadlock.

Lee Hudgell's cross from the left was deflected into the path of the striker 10 yards out, and he turned well before drilling a low effort across Thomas and into the bottom corner.

Goodwick went close to a second when Dalling and Hudgell combined, and the latter's low cross was inches away from the sliding Griffiths.

Leahy tried his luck from half way when he spotted Gwilt off his line, but the keeper back tracked in time to gather cleanly - but then midway through the half, came a decisive moment.

It was Hayward who took out Griffiths in the area, and the latter drilled the resultant spot kick low to Thomas' left - only for the keeper to superbly tip the effort away.

Hayward was booked for the tackle, and as matters heated referee Charles Davies continued to dish out cards as Leahy, Hughes, and Greene all saw yellow for Bridge, and Matty Delaney the same for Goodwick.

Raymond meanwhile, escaped a second booking after a mistimed tackle on Haworth.

The Wizards tried to press forward as Leahy drove a free kick straight at Gwilt, and Matthew D'Ivry's flicked header from a Hayward corner was blocked on the line by Llyr Tobin. Only seconds later it was Dalling who then had a chance to seal the points for Goodwick, latching onto Gwilt's long punt forward but skewing his left foot shot wide.

But the home side still seemed set to hold out for the win when with four minutes left, Hawkins struck.

It was Haworth who surged down the left and whipped in a low cross, and the forward timed his run perfectly to half volley home from eight yards out.

It meant a crucial point for Nathan Thomas' side, but neither team has much time for reflection with both in action on Saturday, with Goodwick away to Angle and Bridge at Milford United.

Goodwick United: James Gwilt, Steffan Hayes, Wayne O’Sullivan, Scott Delaney, Llyr Tobin, Karl Hedley, Matty Delaney, Adam Raymond (Kieran O’Brien 79), Lee Hudgell, Rhys Dalling, Jordan Griffiths.

Subs not used: Rowan Nicholson, Anthony Couzens.

Merlins Bridge: Gary Thomas, Matthew D’Ivry, Richard Hughes, Peter Thomas, Chris Ormond (Andrew John 5), Laurie Haworth, Luke Hayward, Ashley Beck, Joe Leahy, Adam Hawkins, Nathan Greene.

Referee: Charles Davies.