IN A game that was more about perseverance than panache, Lydney Town and Tuffley Rovers played out a hard-fought 2-2 draw at The Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon. 

The game kicked off with Lydney striker Lewis Thompson receiving an early yellow card for a foul on Tuffley goalkeeper Luke Merchant. From the start, the match was marred by a series of free kicks and fouls, resulting in a lack of fluidity and attacking quality. 

The deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute when Lydney's Dan Brain showed his pace and skill to slip past his marker and fire a shot into the bottom corner. Tuffley responded promptly, with Brad Bevan taking advantage of some poor defending by Lydney to equalise with a close-range effort just two minutes later. 

Bevan could have put his side ahead immediately after, but his shot flew over the bar. Tuffley finished the first half strongly, with Harley Mustoe’s volley narrowly missing the target. 

The second half began with Lydney regaining the lead almost instantly. A superbly delivered corner from Simon Prangley found the head of defender Lee Hartshorn, who powered a header past Merchant into the far corner. 

Tuffley soon levelled the score again. Lydney's mistake on the edge of their own box allowed Karnell Chambers to race through and finish neatly past Lydney’s goalkeeper Rich Thomas. 

As the match wore on, the heat began to take its toll on both teams. Lydney made changes, introducing Declan Morley-Lyne and Darren Rush for Thompson and Brain. Tuffley’s Kyan Skidmore and Frankie Johnson were both booked as the game grew more frantic. 

In the dying moments, Tuffley nearly snatched a last-gasp victory when Chambers found himself one-on-one with Thomas. However, Thomas’s outstretched leg denied the effort, ensuring the match ended in a 2-2 stalemate. 

The result means Lydney remain in search of their first league win of the season.