BROCKENHURST'S dismal start to the new season at last showed signs of improvement as they held powerful Hamworthy United to a 1-1 draw at Grigg Lane.

Prior to this battling defensive display, their league record read three defeats, 11 goals conceded and just one scored.

Added to that, they crashed out of the FA Cup at the weekend after a 4-2 loss at Chipstead.

So Badgers' supporters could have been forgiven for thinking they were on another hiding to nothing as they arrived for a mid-morning kick-off against Alex Pike's side who have been widely tipped for success this term.

Indeed, one late arrival who wandered in five minutes into the game was informed by a Brock stalwart: "We're doing okay so far - we haven't let one in yet!"

That, however, did not last beyond the 15-minute mark.

A rushed defensive clearance fell to Kevin Gill's feet who whipped in an inviting cross for Dan Cann to bury a powerful header high past former Hammers goalkeeper Tom Hawkins.

But with the expectant travelling United faithful awaiting an avalanche of goals from their Wessex League title hopefuls, it never arrived.

Indeed, just six minutes after the restart, Brock drew level as Dave Midgley's fierce free-kick levelled matters as startled goalkeeper Nick Hutchings could only palm the effort inside his near post.

Someone in the Hammers' defensive wall clearly didn't fancy a face full of leather as the quartet parted conveniently to allow the strike goalwards.

While Hamworthy were clearly the better side going forward, Brock - marshalled by old stagers Steve Hillyer and player boss Graham Kemp - held firm to keep the visitors at bay.

Jamie Moores slid in to shin one over from no more than two yards as Cann fizzed a low cross into the six-yard box, while John Waldock dragged a good chance wide and Moores saw his header glance off the outside of the upright.

But Brock deserved their point. Kemp's side knew their limitations and set out to frustrate the opposition with some dogged defending.

And that frustration could clearly be heard after the final whistle from the visitors' camp as a fuming Pike dished out a colourful and frank account of where his team went wrong. In fact, the dressing room may now be in need of a new wallpaper job.

A calmer Pike said afterwards: "Of course I wasn't happy - we regard that as two points dropped.

"We have to learn how to win games 1-0. It is all very well winning games 4-0 but against sides like this, who just put men behind the ball and defend, we should be able to grind out results.

"We created so much but we need to finish those chances. We need to hit targets and make goalkeepers work."

In contrast, delighted Brock boss Kemp admitted he was relieved to see his side break their duck for the new season.

He said: "I would happily have taken a point before the game - in fact, I would have taken a goal before the game.

"I didn't feel they ripped us open at any point and while we were just clearing our lines towards the end, I thought we defended pretty well.

"Of course it is a relief to get that first point on the board. This should be a good boost for us to go on."

Brockenhurst: Hawkins, Grace, G Kemp, Hillyer, Woodward, Morris, Drew (Booker, 75), N Kemp, Midgley, Marks (Wright, 80), Totczyk (Cooper, 85). Unused subs: Mills, Manning.

Hamworthy United: Hutchings, Wilson (Lucas, 75), Williams, White, Gilbert, Legg, Tilley, Waldock, Gill, Moores, Cann. Unused subs: Dovell, Warrington, Hubbard, Edwards.