A SLOPPY second half saw Salisbury chuck away two-goal lead as they were held to a 2-2 draw with Swindon Supermarine in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West on Tuesday night.

Lewis Benson and George Colson gave Whites a comfortable lead at the break.

Brad Hooper reduced the arrears after converting a penalty four minutes into the second half before Connor Waldon levelled to earn a share of the spoils.

Swindon's frontman Waldon, their leading goalscorer, had a lively start.

He stung the gloves of Alex Bass and then met Connor Thompsons' fast-paced delivery which went narrowly over the top.

Despite those two chances, it was the hosts who struck first.

Skipper Kane O'Keefe exploited a gap in the Supermarine backline and threaded through Benson who took a touch before finishing with aplomb.

Benson should have doubled Whites' lead when he combined with Colson from a short corner but the resulting strike was parried by Johns.

The second goal arrived on 43 minutes when Colson prodded home Ashton Leigh's cross at the far post.

But, despite Colson notching his first league goal, the Isle of Wight-based defender committed a clumsy foul on Thompson moments after the restart in the area and a penalty was awarded. Hooper stepped up and sent Bass the wrong way.

The goal gave the visitors real momentum and Bass was called into action to deny Josh Parsons on two occasions.

The equaliser beckoned and it arrived on 72 minutes when schoolboy defending from the hosts allowed Waldon to walk his way through and slot past the helpless Bass.

Swindon lost Zak Westlake for a professional foul in the dying embers as it finished 2-2.

Salisbury move up one place into 10th, seven points off the play-offs.

Salisbury FC: Bass, Colson, Wheeler, Walker, Leigh (Perrett, 77), Brockway, Roberts, Benson, O'Keefe, Wright, Benson.

Subs not used: Parselle, Rusher, Young, Ball.

Referee: Benjamin Williamson (Melksham)

Att: 507