Kenilworth Sporting overcame a two goal deficit to snatch a draw in the local derby against Kenilworth Wardens at Gypsy Lane today.

Sporting, of the Midlands League Division Three, left it until the final 10 minutes to secure the draw, having trailed to Wardens, of the Coventry Alliance Division Two, for over an hour in their friendly fixture today.

The hosts dominated the ball from the first whistle. Sporting's mixture of first, reserve and youth team players were smart on the ball, keeping possession and pinning Wardens in their own half.

Away side Wardens were prepared to work without the ball, sitting in a deep 4-5-1 to limit their hosts to half chances.

It was the Coventry Alliance side who were to strike first, however. On 25 minutes smart play out from the back saw Guy Pearson released down the left flank. His ball to the feet of lone striker Ben Edmunds was taken well, allowing the young forward to slot home calmly.

1-0 to Kenilworth Wardens.

The Wardens were to double their advantage ten minutes later. Edmunds was once again set free, running clear on goal following a long ball from the defence.

His scuffed shot should have been easily kept out, but the Sporting keeper's fumbled attempts to save the ball were to no avail.

2-0 to Kenilworth Wardens.

Sporting continued to dominate the ball for the rest of the hall, pushing Wardens further and further back into their own half. Overloads down the Sporting left hand side continued to be profitable, but a number of high quality balls into the box were squandered.

Wardens went into the break maintaining their two goal lead.

Sporting, who made personnel changes during the break, continued to press and dominate for the second half. The introduction of Tyrone Wilson and Archie Ashcroft for the hosts allowed them to create clearer chances and sustain their attacks as the half went on.

Whilst it looked as if it was 'when and not if' Sporting would score, backs to the wall Wardens defending and a number of smart saves from Andy Whitehouse kept the score at 2-0 late into the game.

It wasn't until the 81st minute that a clear chance at goal fell to Sporting, with a penalty awarded by the referee for a challenge by Tom Griffiths on Sean Burke. A challenge that only the referee appeared to believe was a penalty.

Remonstrations with the official saw Wardens' manager Eamonn Richards sent to the sin bin for the rest of the game.

The resultant spot kick was slotted home by Tyrone Wilson, although keeper Andy Whitehouse almost kept the ball out, getting down smartly to his left hand post.

Now with a man advantage Sporting really turned the pressure on, creating chances at will and hitting both posts as they searched for an equaliser.

With less than five minutes to play their second goal came. A fantastic ball from the left flank to the back post took out the whole Wardens defence. The header back across the box fell perfectly to Burke who calmly slotted the ball home for 2-2.

Whilst Sporting continued to apply the pressure following their equaliser, time was not on their side and the whistle blew for full time with the scores level.

For Kenilworth Wardens, this was a game of 'what could have been'. For Kenilworth Sporting, another example of determination and playing to the final whistle.

Kenilworth Wardens are sponsored by LPC Sports Therapy and Yoga.

Lead-therapist Lily is a Level Four qualified sports massage therapist and yoga Practitioner, specialising in anxiety support.

Lily is trained to diagnose injuries, rehabilitate, and is fully recommended by players of Kenilworth Wardens.