WEYMOUTH 1 NUNEATON 1

PLAYER-boss Steve Claridge led by example as Weymouth continued their unbeaten start to the Dr Martens Premier Division season.

The Terras manager struck his first goal of the season for the depleted hosts who showed just why the bookies have made them second favourites for the title.

Another bumper Wessex Stadium crowd saw Claridge give a typical all-action display which Nuneaton's defence struggled to cope with.

But with chances flowing at both ends, a point apiece proved just about right and it is likely on this showing the two clubs will feature in the end of season shake-up for honours.

Claridge covered every blade of grass after shaking off a rib injury to lead the forward line but within just 26 seconds his side fell behind.

Michael Love's long ball from the kick off was pounced upon by Matthew Collins down the right flank whose pinpoint centre was nodded goalwards by Stuart Whittaker only for Brian Quailey to steal the glory inches out.

That early hammer blow saw Weymouth struggle to get to grips with Nuneaton's explosive frontmen in the early stages, particularly ex-West Brom man Quailey.

He gave Weymouth skipper John Waldock a roasting in the opening period and it took two good stops by Jason Matthews to deny the big man his second.

In the past, the Terras may have buckled under the serious pressure but Claridge's charges are now made of sterner stuff and hit back with an inspired performance for the rest of the half.

Excellent youngster John Lamb's tricky run ended with a blistering 25 yard effort pushed on to the bar by Nuneaton keeper Darren Acton, who also had to be at his best to turn Claridge's dipping 35-yard volley over the top.

With the lively Martin Barlow picking up the pieces in midfield, the hosts were starting to take charge and deservedly pulled level on 25 minutes.

Kevin Gill's clip found Paul Buckle down the right and the former Aldershot star picked out the unmarked Claridge at the far post to tap in one of the easiest goals of his distinguished career. Weymouth continued to dominate possession for the remainder of the half with former Weymouth star Brain McGorry unable to get a kick in the visiting midfield.

But Borough's direct play continued to cause the Terras problems and Andrew Corbet should have done better with a free header on 33 minutes.

Things continued in a similar vein after the interval with the Terras controlling play and the visitors happy to hit on the break.

But the earlier zip and urgency had now gone from the game and openings were few and far between.

The best of them came on 65 minutes when after a patient build up Simon Browne's drilled pass allowed Lee Phillips to spin past veteran defender Terry Angus and get to the byline, but his centre evaded the in running Claridge and Buckle.

At the other, dangerman Quailey found life harder going but his strike partner, Gez Murphy, could have restored their lead when he broke the Terras' otherwise effective offside trap midway through the half.

But a splendid recovery block by Waldock deflected danger, although Matthews was called into action shortly after to collect Corbet's looping centre and block Murphy after the forward galloped through on goal.

With Weymouth fast beginning to run out of steam, the game's only serious flashpoint happened as both sides appeared content to settle for a point. Browne, already booked nine minutes earlier for a foul, was penalised for hauling down Quailey by fussy Plymouth-based referee Simon Hollick.

Qualiey appeared to react to Browne's challenge but it was when Nuneaton's Colin Hoyle scythed down Barlow seconds later that things turned ugly.

The challenge sparked a 20-man scuffle and most fingers in the ground appeared to point towards Hoyle for his part in the incident.

But the defender somehow escaped punishment by Mr Hollick who instead issued reds to Browne and Quailey who then appeared to clash in the tunnel as they made their way from the field. For all the passion of that incident, neither side was able to conjure up a winner in the remaining minutes in what was an absorbing contest.

n Weymouth Reserves suffered their second 1-0 defeat of the Sydenhams Wessex Combination season at the hands of AFC Newbury Reserves on Saturday.