Harwich and Parkeston drew a thriller with Wivenhoe Town

Honours were even at the close, in a game where fortunes see-sawed throughout the game.

Harwich were on top in the opening period, taking the lead when 17-year-old Alfie Canning, making his debut for the Shrimpers, crossed the ball to Luke Mayhew whose shot rebounded off a visitors defender onto the crossbar before falling to Gareth Heath, who netted from six yards.

The Shrimpers came close to increasing their lead when following a good move between Brandon Rusby and Heath, Liam White was just unable to get his shot on target.

Wivenhoe came back strongly in the last 20 minutes of the first half and 16-year-old goalkeeper Matt Huggins, also making his debut, pulled off a fine save to prevent Harry Willoughby scoring.

However, the Dragons equalised when former Shrimpers man Finlay Hughes headed home a cross at the far post.

Wivenhoe then secured a half time lead with a tap-in by Willoughby from another cross.

Harwich looked sharp from the restart and were rewarded with their equaliser when Heath was fouled and Mayhew made no mistake with a perfect penalty into the corner of the net.

Huggins made another fine save at the expense of a Wivenhoe corner as the game continued at a pulsating pace.

A mis-kick let in Town's dangerous striker Ryan Lewis and his clinical finish restored Wivenhoe's lead.

The drama continued with Heath floating over classy free-kick which saw Harry Miller's shot hit the post.

And then as the match entered the closing stages, it was Town's turn to see an effort strike the crossbar.

Harwich continued to fight hard and deep into injury-time they were rewarded with an equaliser through Miller.

Both teams were clapped off the field by their supporters in appreciation of a splendid local derby match.

Harwich visit Needham Market on Saturday whilst the Shrimpers under-23s entertain Long Melford under-23s in the newly-formed Thurlow Nunn Under-23 League.