Andover New Street twice came from behind in the first half, before going ahead after the break and then saw the visitors Fawley AFC snatch a point with a penalty deep in to second half stoppage time in a thrilling encounter.

Holidays and injuries again caused changes to the home line-up with Scott Hassall, Darryl Phillips and Harry Lawton all missing on an afternoon that was simply too hot to play football.

After a quiet start Fawley scored with their first attack in just four minutes. The break was down the left side, Street failed to clear and when the ball was pulled back Jack Stuttard swept the ball home from somewhere near the penalty spot (0-1).

READ MORE: Winning start for Andover Town in new campaign

The home side responded with Shane Lock and Ross Cook denied by former Andover favourite Lee Burch in the visiting goal before drawing level after 11 minutes.

A through ball caught the defence on its heels and Cook rounded the goalkeeper before clipping the ball in to the net (1-1).

Fawley were almost instantly back in front when the tall Dylan Knight broke down the right and his low cross was lifted over the bar at the far post for what must be considered a miss.

After the first drinks break of the afternoon a Callum Sweeney shot was blocked and two efforts at the other end were too high before the visitors took the lead again.

The defence failed to clear a cross from the right and the unmarked Knight beat Baxter from ten yards (1-2).

This led to a spell of home pressure with Lock, Cook and Mike Gosney all going close and a corner awarded on the stroke of half time. Sweeney swung the kick in to the box. A header sent the ball towards goal and a hand prevented it crossing the line.

The referee awarded the penalty but took no action against the defender before Cook drove the spot kick low in to the corner of the net to leave the score level at the break (2-2).

Lock was stopped at close range by Burch on the restart but the home side were showing more urgency and went in front for the first time after seven minutes when defender and goalkeeper left the ball to each other and Gosney lifted it in to the unguarded net (3-2).

A Gosney corner was missed by the keeper and all in the area and a Sweeney header was inches too high but the game was being broken up by the many substitutions and the heat was also beginning to take its toll on the proceedings.

Burch denied Cook and Baxter saved well at the other end in a scramble. Another drinks break and Street were enjoying more of the possession with Fawley relying on the long ball.

Substitute Josh Moore hit the post with Cameron Thatcher tucking home the rebound only to be given offside and the referee suddenly raced to the other end of the field and sent Eddie Perrett to the sin bin, though it is difficult to imagine that he could have been aware of dissent from that distance.  

The referee awarded the visitors a corner and there was an edge to the game now and Burch went up for the corner and showed no hurry in returning to his goal.

Baxter saved well in crowded area before the referee awarded the visitors a penalty. There were the usual protests and the referee had a long discussion with his assistant, a regular feature of the afternoon, and at least three minutes must have passed before the kick was taken.

SEE ALSO: Whitchurch tennis club’s plan for new floodlights rejected

Eventually, goalkeeper against goalkeeper, Burch slotted the penalty past Baxter to earn his side a point (3-3).

The final whistle went immediately, prompting a lot of pushing and shoving between all and sundry before matters cooled down.

Perhaps it can be put down to the heat. Street will regard it as two points lost but credit to Fawley and the home side will have to improve for the FA Cup trip to Westbury next week.