Lee Duxbury praised his side's first-half performance after the reserves picked up their first point on the new Pontin's League season at Walsall last night.

Matty Wolfenden gave them a 13th-minute lead with a typical poacher's finish, only for Alex Nicholls to equalise in the second half.  Aaron Chalmers' 68th-minute bullet looked to have secured the points, but substitute Chris Hanna headed home in the last ten minutes to ensure the spoils were shared.

"It should really have been three points," Duxbury said.  "We were excellent in the first half and I didn't really have much to say at half time.  I just told them that Walsall would be getting a roasting and would come out fighting in the second half.

"They did that and it was a more even match in the second half, but we were the better team before the break.  It made a big difference having Wolfy [Matty Wolfenden] and Lewis [Alessandra] back up front, because Wolfy is comfortable running at the opposition and Lewis gives us his hold-up play.

"I also thought the two centre-halves [Neal Trotman and John Thompson] were excellent, and the middle three of Ashley Kelly, Aaron Chalmers and Gary McDonald gave us plenty of energy and and power from midfield."

Alessandra's appearance was his first of the season proper following a pre-season injury blow, and Duxbury praised his progress while also backing strike partner Matty Wolfenden, who kept up his impressive strike record at reserve level.  He said:

"Lewis did well considering it was his first game back after injury, though there were times when he had an extra touch when perhaps he shouldn't have done.  He had two chances in the first half that he could have done better with, but it's early days and he's still rusty.

"Meanwhile Matty played well and scored a typical Matty Wolfenden goal -- he caused problems when running at the defence and that's his strength."