Somerset County Premier

Shirehampton 1, Berrow 1

A LUKE McErlain penalty five minutes from time ensured Berrow took home a deserved point from runaway league leaders Shirehampton on Saturday.

The captain tucked home his spot kick after Steve Leaf had been brought down in the penalty area.

The visitors were slow to get going and Shirehampton took the lead on 10 minutes when a disputed corner was cleared the ball was fired back at goal and the ball took a massive deflection before fidning the back of the net, with the Berrow players appealing for offside.

They should have made it two when they were awarded a penalty five minutes later, but a poor spot-kick went well wide of Nick Slack’s goal.

Berrow were struggling to play on a very cut up pitch, but were defending well with James Gass, Kyle McErlain and Steve Osgood working hard to protect Slack.

Berrow finally found their feet in the second half and competed well - Si Slocombe and Luke McErlain started to get the upper hand in midfield, while Steve leaf and Scott Lismore were beginning to see more of the ball, in support of Jack Smith.

Slocombe went close with a volley from the edge off the box, before at the other end a strike from 25 yards beat Slack only to hit the post and bounce back harmlessly across the goal.

Dave Keirle and Shaun Lismore came onto to add to Berrow’s attacking options - and from Slocombe’s floated pass, Keirle's cross shot was just out of Smith’s reach.

Slack made a great save as Shire had a rare attack, but Berrow continued to look for an equalizer.

A clever Luke McErlain free kick released Scott Lismore, but his ball across the six-yard line was hacked clear.

The goal Berrow had fought for finally arrived with 5 minutes remaining - Smith did brilliantly to release Leaf, who was brought down for a penalty, that captain McErlain sent the keeper the wrong way with.

Berrow went in search of a winner but Shire held firm for a point.