A new-look Billericay came from behind in a pulsating second half to deservedly take a share of the spoils on Saturday.

With Leon Gutzmore having been transferred to Aldershot Town during the week, Town showed off Joe Nartey, who arrived at New Lodge from the Hampshire side, as David Adekola's strike partner.

And in the event it was the two strikers who found themselves on the scoresheet.

Town manager John Kendall also had difficulties at the back.

An accumulation of yellow cards meant that central defender Chris Moore was suspended and, with only six minutes gone, Gary Waters, the other central defender, had to be replaced following injury.

The visitors started the brighter of the two sides and Waters was hurt taking a kick from Joe Francis when the Bromley forward was about to shoot.

Darren White, his replacement, partnered Kevin Jordan in the middle of the back line.

In midfield, Jon Rattle and Steve Blaney directed matters as Dean Parratt was unavailable ill, with Martin St Hilaire and Jon Hooker, making a rare start, on either wing.

And it was St Hilaire who provided the best early chance. On 20 minutes he made space down the right and crossed, bypassing goalkeeper Maurice Munden.

At the far post, and six yards out, Adekola headed powerfully downwards towards the line only for the ball to strike Munden who simply threw himself across the goal.

A minute later the visitors went ahead as a cross from the right was headed back across the goal from the far post for Matthew Wolfe to poke in at the other post from close in.

Good Bromley defending stopped Town from equalizing immediately afterwards when Adekola initially got through the defence with a good first touch.

The play was fairly balanced with chances each end and Town had another good attempt with ten minutes of the half remaining.

Adekola in possession moved to the left of the penalty area. As he approached the goal line his options reduced dramatically.

He crossed, however, and the ball gently smacked the face of the bar with Munden beaten.

Joe Francis might have increased the lead just before the break, but five minutes after the restart Bromley got their second anyway.

While Bromley are by no means a great side, they are disciplined and not afraid of moving forward boldly.

In the 50th minute Town were caught short at the back and a through ball found Danny Carroll who did well to shoot past Dave Root.

From this unhappy situation Town recovered with style and class, showing commitment and energy that thrilled the crowd of nearly 800 and which showed that the Club's fifth position in the League is no fluke.

Indeed the team's ability to fight back and secure a point, when all seemed lost, bodes well for the second half of the season.

In the 57th minute Adekola turned his marker as he ran nicely onto a Billy Goldstone long ball. His final effort beat Munden but defender Ollie Odedeji managed to clear the ball.

By now there was torrential rain with lightning illuminating the landscape over towards Brentwood.

The crowd, comfortably accommodated in the stands had, however, plenty to wonder at on the pitch as Billericay put in some wonderful moves.

On the hour Root threw the ball out to Goldstone. The full back found a nice line which was mud free and made 40 yards before passing the ball over the defence and into Adekola's path again.

The Town forward took the ball in his stride, made a few more yards down the right and fired the ball past Munden to get the hosts back into the game.

A couple of similar opportunities came and went for Town while up the other end Dean Wordsworth, once a Town player, struck the side netting following good moves by his colleagues.

But Town were in the ascendancy and it seemed inevitable that an equaliser would come.

When it did, on 79 minutes, there was some controversy. St Hilaire jinxed past Dean Francis, who had been booked earlier for a foul on the player, and found his way into the box.

With Francis converging again from one side, Michael Harny came at him from the other side.

In the clash St Hilaire went down and referee Mr Trow of Bletchley pointed to the spot. Bromley protested but the kick had been given.

Gutzmore had been the taker of recent kicks and it was St Hilaire who lined up to take it this time. As the scorer of a penalty in a recent League representative match he strode up confidently.

Munden, who had an excellent game, saved low to his left. But the ball was spilled and Nartey was the quickest to react and poked it home to bring the teams level.

Town remained on top but could not squeeze the winner.

Billericay Town: Root, Goldstone, Davidson, Jordan, Waters (White), St Hilaire, Rattle, Blaney, Adekola, Nartey and Hooker.

On the move . . Leon Gutzmore (right), who has left Billericay Town and signed for fellow Ryman League Premier Division side Aldershot Town.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.