SOUTHGATE picked up a hard earned point deep in clay country, their first for five matches, to end a poor run of results, writes Kevin Hoare.

Sticker started the stronger side and could have been ahead before Southgate mounted a meaningful attack but it was the away side which took the lead when Tom Horn's corner was headed back across the goal by Wayne Francome and Andy Crocombe headed it goalwards and despite the best efforts of the home defence the ball crept over the line. Sticker soon fought back with a fiercely struck free kick and then took the lead when a corner was headed home.

Early in the second half Southgate's hopes were lifted when Francome scored two very good goals. The first, almost in one movement he controlled the ball before striking home a beautiful shot high into the net to equalise, then he notched his second with a defence splitting run before lifting his shot above the home 'keeper.

Francome nearly completed a hat-trick but was denied by the crossbar as Southgate started to assert their authority and they had further chances to win the game Tom Horn forcing the home 'keeper to make a fine save from a free kick.

Sticker were never a beaten side, however, and deservedly scored an equaliser as the Southgate defence though ably marshalled by Ed Horn finally conceded and so it was a point apiece.