East Preston draw at Midhurst

EP went ahead on 15 minutes with a direct free-kick from Jamie McLeod, who then netted his side’s second on the half-hour.

Midhurst pulled a goal back on 60 minutes and then levelled four minutes later.

Both teams could have nicked it, but had to settle for the draw and Bird said: “We didn’t play well at all in the second half, even when we were two up Midhurst were still in the game and, fair play to them, I can’t begrudge them a point.

“It’s mixed emotions, and we’re still not playing as well as we can, and it’s frustrating that, against the lesser sides, shall we say, no disrespect to them, we go down to their level.

“We do okay against the top sides, and we’re just looking to improve every game and see how we go.

“We had five or six regulars missing, which is not ideal, but a draw was about right and perhaps Midhurst could have nicked it.

“I’m looking at a top-half finish, but we need to start winning and have a big game against Westfield on Saturday.”

EAST PRESTON: Gammons; Sutcliffe, M.Dodd, Thompson, N.Da Costa; Banfield, Campbell, McLeod, Paine; Hand, Charman. Subs: Davies (Banfield 65), Leach (Campbell 80), May.