A THREDBARE Salisbury Under 18s earned a 1-1 draw at Cirencester Academy in the South West Counties League.

The visitors, who started the game with just ten men due to a string of injuries, took a shock lead in Gloucestershire.

A shot at goal that hit a couple of defenders on the way fell kindly to Louis Rendall who put the Whites ahead.

But within five minutes, Cirencester pumped a long ball forward and Dan Grieve was there to finish.

After the break, Ryan Penny and Charlie Burden took control of the game in the centre of midfield, creating chances for the Whites.

Managers Richard Rendall and Mark Somerton said: “As a coach, to see two lads working the centre of midfield like that is great to watch. The whole team battled to the end to hold out for a 1-1 draw.”

The result leaves Whites in third place.

Saturday sees the return of former White, Scott Bartlett, bring a young Forest Green Rovers side to the Ray Mac for the semi-finals of the Gary Else Memorial League Cup (10.30am).

The first team are away to Barnstaple Town (3pm).