PLAISTER AUTOS WILTSHIRE LEAGUE: MARK Gerrish spared Bradford Town's blushes with a late equaliser at Cricklade after his side had thrown away an early two-goal lead in Saturday's Premier Division clash.

The 4-4 draw in gale-like conditions maintained Bradford's unbeaten start to 2004, but manager Mark Hodkinson admitted he was disappointed not to win the game.

He said: "I had mixed emotions after the match because I was relieved to have saved the point but disappointed not to have built on such a good start.

"The wind really was horrendous and it is very difficult to play in conditions like that but we started well.

"Kicking against the wind we did everything right, kept the ball low, and raced into a 2-0 lead. But we were awful in the second half and could not do anything right."

Playing against the wind, Bradford could not have made a better start with top scorer Tom Pang scoring two within the first five minutes.

An error from Bradford goalkeeper Nick Clinton then allowed Cricklade back into the match, as his scuffed goal kick fell to the feet of Ben Carter who made no mistake in firing the ball into the net.

The score was level soon after as Bradford's Mark Barnett headed the ball into his own net for an own goal.

After the break Robbie Simmons missed from the penalty spot and Cricklade took advantage as Carter converted from the spot to give his side a 3-2 lead.

Mark Barnett then made up for his earlier own goal by equalising but Cricklade regained the lead through Matt Charlton. Gerrish then forced the equaliser with seconds remaining.

"The conditions were a leveller," said Hodkinson. "With a lot of the other matches being postponed it was a point gained but it could have been better.

"For some reason in the second half we changed our game and started knocking it long when all we had to do was keep playing our passing game."

Bradford entertain Malmesbury Vics Reserves tomorrow. Kick-off 3pm.

High winds and driving rain allowed only a handful of the scheduled fixtures to go ahead.

Leaders AFC Stratton's game with Chiseldon Castrol was postponed, as was their nearest rivals Trowbridge Town's home game with Shrewton.

Trowbridge now have seven games in hand on leaders Stratton. They are away to Devizes Town Res tomorrow (3pm) and away to Warminster Town on Tuesday (7.30pm).

Devizes Town Reserves braved the gales and were rewarded with a 3-0 win over visitors Marlborough Town, David Hopkins, Robert Hannah and Jonathon Schofield the scorers.

Warminster Town, with the help of the strong wind, built up a 4-0 interval lead at Pewsey Vale Reserves, Dave Watkins grabbing a hat-trick plus an own goal.

Pewsey fought back after the break and pulled goals back through Martin Pritchard and Gerry King.

However a late strike from Stuart Begg halted the home side's revival.

In Junior Division One, second-placed Bromham edged nearer the leaders following their 3-0 win over Marlborough Town Reserves, Lee Davies netting a first-half goal and Danny Powell and Andy Davies adding a couple more after the break.

Wroughton Reserves picked up a welcome three points against Sherston, beating the visitors 2-1, Matt Hibberd scoring both goals with Jason Selby on target for the visitors.

Conditions at Blunsdon were also difficult, but Wanborough's Neil Brimson broke the deadlock five minutes from time to seal the points.

Westside boss Joe O'Rourke and club officials spent a couple of hours forking the pitch to allow their game against Down Ampney to go ahead, but both sides had to be content with a 0-0 draw.