Ryman League Division One South

Walton & Hersham 2

Chipstead 2

MARK Tompkins was delighted with two debutants after Chipstead earned a point at Walton & Hersham on Saturday in their battle to steer away from the bottom two.

With three players injured, Tompkins found reinforcements in striker Liam Wright, who scored twice, and defender Lee Coburn, who set up the second as Chips drew 2-2.

But while there were "lots of positives" in the draw, further injuries were suffered by Jason Thompson (hamstring) and Nicky White (knee), ahead of Wednesday's relegation clash at Ashford Town.

Wright was brought in from Met Police, whom Chipstead host next Tuesday after travelling to Burgess Hill on Saturday.

"He's an out and out forward who can add to our goal tally and push us up the league," said Tompkins. "We've relied a bit too much on Sean Rivers for goals this season."

Rivers has scored 21 league and cup goals this season but was without regular partner Scott Simpson, who was nursing a groin injury on the bench and, in the build-up to the match, could not be sure when he would be fit again. Coburn was signed from Erith Town, Tompkins' old club.

"He also did well and we've brought them in to freshen the squad up a little bit.

"We went three up front towards the end and he was the who supplied the ball for the goal. In the second half we had a right go at them, we were the better side and nearly nicked the win.

Allan Matthews (hamstring) is still out, Louis Hollingsworth (thigh) recovered to play, while Ray Freeman, who had injured ribs, began the match. However, Tompkins remains upbeat, saying the spirit in the squad was holding up. He added: "I've been on the phone trying to get a couple of players, but there's no point signing them for the sake of it.

"Injuries have caught us a little bit, but I fancy we can get something out of Burgess Hill and Met Police and if results go our way we might be safe from relegation after next week."

In a well-balanced match, Chips twice fought back to earn a deserved point. Chips had an early scare when Ray Freeman cleared off the goaline from Swan's Junior Kaffo's goal bound header.

The opening goal came about after 28 minutes when Aaron Murphy's cross was headed against Chips far post by Adam Broomhead and top scorer Martin Grant was on hand to react first and tap home.

Within two minutes, Chips levelled, when Wright ran on to a through ball and hit a fine shot from 20 yards past Delroy Preddie. Chips started the second half much the better side and Michael Charles almost scored an own goal when a cross fired off him and flew straight in to Preddie's arms. Freeman set up Wright for a shot which just flew over Preddie's crossbar during this good spell of pressure.

The hosts took the lead against the run of play when substitute Kevin Lock cut inside from the right and rolled the ball into the path of Kaffo to finish.

Grant had a half chance breaking through the defence but Adam Peck's decision to rush out forced him to lob the ball over him and wide of goal.

Wright scored the deserved equaliser for Chips when he outpaced Walton's rearguard and shot past Preddie against the post and followed up to finish.

Chipstead: Peck, Green, Bedford, Coburn, Hollingsworth, Smith (Russell), Rivers, Morrison (Moody), Thompson (Grizzle), Freeman, Wright. Unused subs. Simpson, White.