by Izzy Jackopson

Late drama unfolded on Thursday afternoon as Yeovil Town faced Eastleigh at Huish Park in a closely contested match. Both teams aimed to climb the table into the play-off spots, but a 2-2 draw meant they remained in their original positions, with just two points still separating them.

Two second-half goals from Sean McGurk and Jake Taylor seemed set to secure a 1-1 draw. However, the Glovers found a moment of hope in the 87th minute when Morgan Williams headed home from a corner. This joy was short-lived, as Eastleigh’s Richard Brindley volleyed in an equaliser in stoppage time to salvage a point for the visitors.

The Glovers started the game looking for an early lead to bounce back from their recent defeat at Hartlepool, where they conceded late. Despite controlling possession, Yeovil struggled to progress into the final third in the opening 15 minutes.

Eastleigh had their first opportunity in the 19th minute after a foul by Charlie Cooper on the left-hand side gifted the visitors a free kick just outside the 18-yard box. However, the resulting shot was blocked by Yeovil’s defensive wall.

Charlie Cooper was at the heart of Yeovil’s early chances. In the 28th minute, a deflected cross fell to him on the right-hand side of the penalty area. His first attempt, struck with his right foot, was blocked by an Eastleigh defender. The rebound fell kindly to him, and this time he hit a powerful left-footed shot, forcing the goalkeeper to tip it over the crossbar.

Cooper came close again in the 37th minute. A well-placed square ball from Josh Sims found him in the box, but after taking a touch to set up his shot, the Eastleigh goalkeeper made another crucial save to deny him. Five minutes later, Kofi Shaw was also denied, with the Eastleigh keeper quick off his line to smother the ball after a goalmouth scramble involving Shaw and Aaron Jarvis.

The second half saw Yeovil come out with renewed intent. Sean McGurk had a golden opportunity early on, beating his defender but opting to square the ball into the penalty area instead of shooting, only to find no teammate on the receiving end. Moments later, McGurk made amends. After Kofi Shaw’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper, McGurk capitalised on the rebound, slotting the ball into the net to give the Glovers the lead.

Eastleigh pressed for an equaliser and came close in the 69th minute. A chip over goalkeeper Ollie Wright looked destined for the net, but skipper Matt Worthington made a crucial goal-line clearance, heading the ball away to safety. Wright was called into action again in the 77th minute, denying Jake Taylor in a one-on-one situation after a slip by Morgan Williams allowed the Eastleigh captain through on goal.

The visitors’ pressure finally paid off in the 80th minute. A deep cross from the left found Lloyd Humphries at the back post, and he fired home to level the scores.

Yeovil responded brilliantly, regaining the lead just four minutes later. Brett McGavin’s corner was perfectly delivered to the back post, where Morgan Williams rose highest to head the ball into the net, sparking celebrations among the home crowd.

However, Eastleigh had the last word in the dying moments of added time. A cross from Dominic Gape found Richard Brindley, who chested the ball down before volleying it into the bottom corner, ensuring the points were shared in a dramatic finish.