Alhagi Touray Sisay struck 10 minutes from time to earn Haverfordwest County a deserved point against Pen-y-Bont in an entertaining 2-2 draw under the Ogi Bridge Meadow lights.
Ricky Watts finished off a well-worked move to give the Bluebirds the lead after just seven minutes, but the visitors hit back with goals from Ben Ahmun and captain Kane Owen.
There was late drama though as substitute Touray Sisay popped up to equalise late on and send the home crowd wild, with the result a fair reflection of a back-and-forth affair between two teams who refused to sit back.
Interim manager Gary Richards made two changes – both injury-enforced – to the side that drew 1-1 with Newtown last week, with Watts and Ben Fawcett coming into the side in place of Kyle Patten and Kieran Lewis.
Bont had the first effort on goal when Nathan Wood’s shot from distance went comfortably wide of the left post, but the Bluebirds were ahead just two minutes later.
After winning the ball back in midfield, a couple of quick passes gave Jack Wilson the space to find Danny Williams with a line-breaking pass. The midfielder laid it off to Fawcett whose ball across goal found Watts at the back post, and he made no mistake to prod in from close range and give County the perfect start.
The visitors were level five minutes later when Ahmun rose highest to get his head to a high ball, generating just enough power to take it past Lee Idzi in the Bluebirds goal.
Fawcett saw his low strike saved at the near post by Ashley Morris as County looked to retake the lead, before Idzi rushed off his line to thwart Sam Snaith after Bont had won back possession.
Jordan Davies tried his luck from a tight angle as the chances continued to come for the hosts, but Pen-y-Bont were ahead moments later when Owen’s free-kick from the right touchline beat everyone to find the far corner.
Both side’s had a couple of opportunities in the early stages of the second-half, but the key moment came when Touray Sisay was introduced from the bench, with the striker coming on in place of goalscorer Watts.
With the Bluebirds pushing forward, an excellent through ball from substitute Henry Jones – who was making his first appearance since injuring his knee in October – picked out Jazz Richards, and his ball into the area found an unmarked Touray Sisay who struck a curling effort into the right corner to spark wild celebrations.
County drop down a place to 11th in Cymru Premier after Aberystwyth Town’s 5-0 win over Cefn Druids. However, with back-to-back games against the Seasiders up next, the bottom half of the table could have a very different look in the weeks ahead.
The Bluebirds make the trip to Aber on Tuesday (February 1), with the 20:00 kick-off being shown live on Sgorio’s Facebook page and YouTube channel, as the Black and Greens celebrate becoming the first team to play 1000 matches in the Cymru Premier.
Haverfordwest County: Idzi, Wilson, D. Rees (C), Richards, Scotcher, George (Jones-Thomas 78′), K. Rees, Watts (Touray Sisay 67′), Williams, Fawcett (H. Jones 73′), J. Davies
Substitutes not used: Gajda, Legrice, Humphreys, L. Davies
Yellow cards: D. Rees 42′, K. Rees 88′, Richards 88′
Pen-y-Bont: Morris, Owen (C), Evans, Jefferies, Davies, Harling, Ahmun (Watts 63′), Wood, Whitmore (Clutton 58′), Snaith (Billy Borge 83′), MacDonald
Substitutes not used: Walsh, Williams, Reynolds, Tweedy
Yellow cards: Morris 44′, Davies 72′, Evans 88′
Attendance: 560
