JORDAN Heath grabbed a second-half equaliser as HARWICH AND PARKESTON came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw at home to HOLLAND FC tonight.

Billy Wales’ composed finish looked to have put the visitors on course for their second victory of the season.

However, Heath slotted home midway through the second period to ensure a deserved share of the spoils for the Shrimpers.

The coastal neighbours met in an eagerly-awaited Thurlow Nunn League first division south derby and a bumper crowd of nearly 300 turned up at the Royal Oak.

Harwich, enjoying being back at step six level, had kicked-off their season with an encouraging 3-3 draw at home to White Ensign on Saturday while Rob Batten’s Holland had breezed to a 3-0 victory at home to BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES.

Both were therefore looking to build on bright starts but both had to settle for a share of the spoils after a hard-fought and entertaining affair.

Wales’ opener came after Joe Martin’s pass put him clear deep in the Harwich area.

With the hosts appealing for offside, he coolly placed his shot inside the bottom right-hand corner, beyond keeper Sam Felgate.

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There had been a couple of warnings that a goal might be on the way.

Martin’s towering far-post header was nodded clear in front of the line and when the ball fell invitingly for Keelan Sorrell, the midfielder’s venomous effort was tipped over by Felgate.

Quentin Daley had another chance at the other end soon after but his powerful, angled effort from the right was palmed away by keeper Dan Beeson.

Martin went close after the break but his free-kick from deep on the right whistled the wrong side of the left-hand post.

Harwich kept battling, though, and grabbed their leveller when Heath guided home a low shot from the right of the area, after being picked out by substitute Luke Barnard.

The Shrimpers were reduced to ten men in the latter stages following a second yellow card for Ryan Heath.

Martin then nearly snatched a late winner with a header that flashed across goal and wide of the far post.

Elsewhere in division one, BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT RESERVES played their first game at step six level but lost 3-0 at home to HALSTEAD TOWN.

Jordan Pavett, Joe Morris and Kane Gilbert scored the Humbugs’ goals.

COGGESHALL UNITED played host to LITTLE OAKLEY and drew 1-1.

Ross Brazitas scored the Acorns’ goal.

In the premier division, BRANTHAM ATHLETIC made it two wins out of two as they thumped neighbours Hadleigh United 4-0.

Sam Newson, George Clark, who scored both goals in Saturday’s victory at Kirkley and Pakefield, Jack Madley and Elliott Johnson scored their goals at the Leisure Centre.

FC CLACTON bounced back from Friday’s 5-1 defeat at Hadleigh with a 1-0 victory at Whitton United.

Adam Hampson nodded home their winning goal ten minutes into the second half.

BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES and WIVENHOE TOWN are set to meet on Wednesday night.

STANWAY ROVERS were in Essex Senior League action at Saffron Walden Town and crashed to a 4-0 defeat.

All the goals came in the first half.

It followed a 5-1 loss at home to Takeley in Rovers’ opening match on Saturday.