Wantage Town were denied a welcome victory as Fleet Town fought back for a 2-2 draw in Southern League Division 1 South & West.

Leading 2-1 with a minute left, it looked like Gary Ackling’s side had done enough to record their third win of the season.

However, Brett Stanley struck to salvage a point.

Wantage, who gave a debut to their Spanish loan signing from Oxford City, Xapi Casana, started well with Sam Barder being denied by Ryan Pryce in the Fleet goal on seven minutes.

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Barder then spurned a good chance and the hosts paid for it when Rob Carr gave Fleet the lead after seizing in a weak back header from Jake Johns.

Eight minutes later, Wantage were level.

A Jimmy Deabill flick-on landed at the feet of skipper Tom Melledew who slotted past Pryce.

Wantage took the lead three minutes after the break.

Johnny Haist’s through ball picked out Deabill who finished low into the corner for his seventh of the term.

Danny Lachacz’s shot was then pushed around the post as Wantage pressed for another.

But with time running out, Stanley equalised into the top corner following a contentious free-kick.

Wantage looked for a winner, but Fleet held on.

Wantage Tn: Farrow, Casana, Johns, Sadler, Henderson, Steedman, Barder, Melledew, Deabill, Lachacz, Haist (Shaw 85). Subs not used: Tucker, Riccio, Pearce.

Attendance: 58.

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