THE Jockeys surged late on to secure a hard-fought 3-3 home draw against high-flying Goytre on Saturday.

The hosts finished runners-up last season in the Ardal South East League, but have been struggling this term and were fourth from bottom when their second-placed Monmouthshire derby rivals arrived at Larkfield Road.

But it looked like positions reversed as the Jockeys galloped into a 2-0 lead within eight minutes, leaving the Penperlleni visitors with a real test of their title credentials.

Mason Keepin-Davies gave Chepstow a flying start as Matty Board teed him up on four minutes, and the scorer was on target again just four minutes later as a Goytre foul in the box saw him make it 2-0 from the penalty spot.

But Goytre gathered themselves to force an own goal from Tom Bullock on 19 minutes and were level just two minutes later when the Jockeys fouled in their own box and top scorer Chris Ham stepped up to rifle home the penalty for 2-2.

And just after the half hour mark, the boot was firmly on the other foot as Ham winged in to convert a Lloyd Oliver assist for the visitors to lead 3-2 at half-time.

But 10 minutes from normal time, Matthew Haysom fed Josh Gibson to put the Jockeys back level 3-3, and as the clock ticked into stoppage time the visitors' frustration boiled over, Ham handed a yellow card before being joined in the book by team boss Marc Ingles and Caylam Palmer on full-time.

Chepstow Town 2nds trailed 1-0 away to Sudbrook CC after just three minutes, but fought back to win 2-1 to go top of East Gwent One, leapfrogging their title rival hosts through goals from Luca Goddard (34) and Bailey Hobbs (41).

Chepstow 1sts visit third-placed neighbours Caldicot Town this Saturday (February 7), while Goytre host Abercarn United on Friday night.