FAWLEY AFC have had no trouble taking the lead in the Sydenhams Premier Division this season.

The trouble is, they just can’t seem to hang onto it.

For the umpteenth time in recent weeks they got themselves into a winning position against Whitchurch United on Saturday, leading 2-0 at half-time through new signing Dan Fry - his fourth goal in three games - and Jordan Mellor.

But, yet again, they struggled to hold onto what they had as the Jam Boys hit back for a 2-2 draw.

“Once again we were winning 2-0 and the message was to keep it nice and tight in the first ten minutes of the second half because we were bound to get a reaction from Whitchurch,” said Oilers boss Richie Coxall.

“But then we flapped in the penalty area, should have cleared our lines and didn’t and ended up conceding a penalty within ten minutes of the restart. That got them right back in it, which was just what we wanted to avoid.”

Danny Phillips buried the spot kick for Whitchurch but, thanks to a couple of solid saves from Michael Edgar, it was beginning to look as if Fawley might hold on.

But, as has happened so often this season, they conceded again in the closing seconds as Scott Hassell’s header salvaged the Jam Boys a last-gasp share of the points.

“It seems that every other week we’re in the same position,” sighed Coxall.

“We conceded a free-kick on the edge of our area and the equalising goal came from that in time added on.

“I don’t think it’s a fitness thing with us, although we do try and play high tempo and pass the ball and maybe we did tire a bit on the heavy pitch.

“Their goalkeeper was kicking the ball long and the inclination was to defend deeper, but we couldn’t keep possession. We tried to go a bit longer to take the pressure off, but it never quite materialised.

"I feel for the players. We keep putting ourselves in strong positions and failing to get over the line."

Fawley are 17th, still five points clear of third-to-bottom Whitchurch, but a bit of added breathing space would have been nice on an afternoon when every other Sydenhams Premier fixture was rained off.

“It was a surprise to get the game on and it was an important one for us,” said Coxall. “Whitchurch are down near the bottom for whatever reason and, had we secured all three points, it would have opened up a nice gap.

“We’ve got a League Cup tie at Totton & Eling this Saturday and then another important league game at home to (rock-bottom) Alresford the following week.”