Bridgwater battled hard to at play-off hopefuls Gosport on Saturday after injury and illness forced Bridgwater to play a very unfamiliar side.

There were first starts of the season for Lee Nunn and Hongi Moon, as well as a recall for Matt Pitcher after a long absence, while Neil Peek found himself up the front alongside Chris Young.

Bridgwater conceded three free- kicks in the early stages as the result of crunching challenges – the third of which left Ward in need of treatment.

On seven minutes, Turner, up for a free-kick and created Bridg- water’s first opening but no-one was on hand to take advantage of his cross-goal header. Two minutes later, Peek failed to convert a weak clearance from the keeper.

Town’s first effort at a goal came from Moon on 21 minutes. He controlled the ball well then beat his man but his shot from 15 yard shot lacked power.

A diving defensive header from Turner conceded a corner, which led to a hectic goalmouth scramble when three efforts were charged down and a minute later Wood made an outstanding save to deny Cox from close range.

Young was substituted by Carl Jones 24 minutes into the game and his first involvement was to open the scoring. Robertson’s through ball found Moon who pushed it to Jones, who took advantage of weak defending to slip the ball past Hutchings after 31 minutes.

Cox seemed certain to equalise on 39 minutes but his lob drifted on to the top of the post.

Bridgwater reached half-time still in front, thanks to some last- ditch defending – not pretty but effective against a Gosport side not at their best.

Gosport resumed on the attack and Cox, in front of goal, was again denied by a smart save from Wood.

Pitcher, short of match practice, was replaced by Peek, whose place up front was taken by Kozlowski on 55 minutes.

Peek appeared much happier in his normal defensive role but it was his handball which conceded the penalty from which Gosport levelled the scores on 64 minutes.

The defender had grounds for disappointment at the award as his arm was down by his side.

There was some unconvincing defending from the visitors as they scrambled the ball away as Borough enjoyed more possession but Bridgwater held out for a hard- earned point.