TERRAS director of football Des Bulpin was a satisfied man after seeing his new side earn a share of the Dr Martens Premier Division spoils after a 2-2 draw at Cambridge City.

The ex-QPR and Spurs coach, who took over from Fred Davies last week, saw the ten-man Terras take the lead twice through second-half strikes from Ian Hutchinson and David Laws.

But they were pegged back shortly after on each occasion when City's Kevin Wilkin and Steve Holden netted.

And Bulpin, who was an animated figure alongside player boss Andy Mason on the bench, seemed to be on the verge of an opening game setback when substitute Jason Rowbotham was sent off for lashing out at Cambridge's Jon Challinor late on.

However a spirited rearguard display in the closing stages ensured Weymouth returned with a valuable point which keeps them in touch at the top of the table.

And Bulpin said that his first impression of championship-chasing Weymouth was a positive one.

He said: "I thought all the lads, and particularly the back three, did very well today in what was a very tough game.

"The whole team worked hard and although our performance lacked a bit of quality at times, I think that point could possibly end up being a very important one come the end of the season.

"Cambridge put us under a lot of pressure in the first-half but I felt once we put Darran (Rowbotham) on, we got hold of the ball much better."

And the former Stockport County assistant manager also had words of praise for the club's fans who travelled to Milton Road.

"My job is to try and get everyone in the local community behind us. The 50 or so who travelled up here were superb and that is what we need," he said.

"We may or may not win the league this year but the key thing from my point of view is to get this football club back where it once was in the local community and one way I intend on trying to do that is by working with all our youth teams."

Meanwhile Mason admitted he was glad to get back to matters on the pitch after a traumatic week off the field.

He said: "I was sad to see Fred go but at the same time pleased with Des' appointment. He sees and says different things to Fred but come April we all want the same thing and that's promotion. It will obviously take Des a bit of time to settle in properly and hopefully I can guide him along the way. Although we were hanging on a bit at the end I felt we did well today. The pitch certainly didn't do us any favours but I felt we were well worthy of a point."

And the player manager also criticised referee Steve Tincknell for his "harsh" treatment of Jason Rowbotham.

"Jason can justifiably feel a bit hard done by. Their bloke has dived, then got up and had a go at Jason whose pushed him away. I know he shouldn't have reacted like he did but even so I thought the red card was a bit harsh."