Tunbridge Wells: 3

Deal Town: 3

TUNBRIDGE Wells threw away three points after imploding in the second-half against Deal Town on Saturday.

Wells had raced into a three-goal lead at the Culverden but, after the break, the visitors stormed back to level things up.

"We were excellent in the first half," boss Martin Larkin said. "We'd had them watched, knew our game plan and executed it very well. We were very clinical in front of goal.

"However, in the second half we stopped doing the things that had got us in front and allowed Deal back into the game. We are a very inexperienced side and once that first Deal goal went in, panic just set in.

"As one of the guys said in the changing room afterwards 'when you are winning week in, week out – you don't think about it. But when you are not winning games it comes as quite a blow'. There are positives there – the superb first half performance and the fact we are four league game unbeaten.

"But it was unacceptable and I've told the players that."

Both teams started brightly on Saturday. Jake Eastwood and Jamie Marriott went close for the visitors, while Wells saw a free-kick tipped over by Paul Rogers.

Well opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Benji Agana was allowed to run into the box from the half-way line and his low shot flew past Rogers.

Moments later Wells broke again and full- back Steve Ashmore found himself in the box. He kept calm and finished well.

On 27 minutes Wells were seemingly cruising when Mike Lord made it 3-0, with a delightful effort from 25 yards.

However, Deal battled to get back into the game. As the first-half ended a free-kick from Josh Davidson and a shot from Aaron Robinson were both saved by Mikelle Czanner.

Town sensed they were in with a shout when Mo Takaloo shot past Czanner on 52 minutes. Just after the hour it was 3-2. Scott Holden drove forward, then unleashed a shot which beat the Wells keeper to his right.

Deal were in control at this point and got their equaliser with 15 minutes to go.

A low, driven corner from Jamie Marriott hit Scott Holden and sneaked past Czanner.

Minutes later, Deal were reduced to 10 men when Eastwood was dismissed for an altercation with Agana. This sparked Wells into life and they had several late chances to snatch victory.

In other news, James Russell has joined Chipstead, but Scott Whibley has joined from Crowborough Athletic and had a superb debut against Deal, alongside the outstanding Brad Draper. Tomorrow afternoon, Wells play Fisher at the Culverden.

"They are a young side with a quick centre-forward," Larkin revealed. "We need to set the tempo and get about them."