REDBROOK Rovers’ teams drew comfort from battling draws on Saturday, one a tight 1-1, the other a 5-5 comeback thriller capped by an incredible last-gasp equalising header by goalkeeper Paul James.

Injury-hit Rovers 1sts battled to a 1-1 North Gloucestershire Premier draw away to Harrow Hill 2nds, but had chances to win it.

Moments before the break, Rovers thought they had scored, only for the goal to be scrubbed for a tight offside, before former Ross Juniors player Florin Crainic broke the deadlock for Hill finishing superbly early in the second half.

Rovers’ response was immediate though, long-serving Dan Hudson arriving at the back post to head home after some excellent build-up play.

Eight minutes later Callum Wilding netted again for Rovers but it was chalked off for handball.

And then he was brought down inside the box, only to see his penalty well saved, with 1-1 the final score.

Back home, Rovers 2nds’ Jake Morgan pounced on a defensive error for an early lead against Rank in NG3, before 16-year-old debutant Keegan Rowland’s deft header saw Daniel Bodenham unleash a ferocious effort met by an excellent save.

But the game quickly turned, as a rapid counter-attack saw Ryley Cocker level, before adding two more before the break for his hat-trick and 3-1.

Things got worse after the restart, with two quick goals making it 5-1.

But on 53 minutes, a pinpoint Morgan cross found Josh Davies whose looping header found the top corner for 5-2.

And five minutes later, goalkeeper James launched the ball forward to Bodenham, who made no mistake for 5-3.

The game became end to end and on 75 minutes, Bodenham struck again for 5-4, setting up a frantic finale.

Heroics from Rank’s goalkeeper followed, before in the final seconds Redbrook won a corner.

And Morgan’s superb, whipped delivery found goalkeeper James powering through a crowd to connect with a thunderous diving header that flew into the net for a dramatic last-gasp equaliser.