NEWENT Town were left frustrated after surrendering a two goal advantage as Studley struck twice in the closing stages to earn a 2-2 draw in the opening game of the new season at Wildsmith Meadow.

The Daffs looked on course for a winning start after Luke Firkin scored twice during an impressive first half, but the visitors refused to give up and salvaged a point with late goals from Joe Edwards and Flynn Coffey.

There was a positive atmosphere around Wildsmith Meadow before kick off as supporters gathered for the first competitive fixture of the campaign, and Newent responded with a bright start.

An early effort drifted narrowly wide inside the opening five minutes as the hosts immediately looked to take the initiative against a Studley side making the trip across from Warwickshire.

The breakthrough arrived soon afterwards when Firkin was perfectly placed to convert a dangerous cross from close range to give Newent a deserved lead.

Studley responded well and forced the Newent goalkeeper into action. The stopper produced a remarkable triple save to somehow keep the visitors out before making another important stop moments later as the pressure continued to build.

Those saves proved crucial as Newent doubled their advantage after 35 minutes.

Firkin was again the man to deliver, rising highest at the far post to power home a header and put the Daffs firmly in control heading into the closing stages of the first half, delighting the home supporters.

Newent nearly grabbed a third before the interval when another header was directed goalwards, only for the Studley goalkeeper to make the save, ensuring the score remained 2-0 at half time despite the hosts creating the better opportunities.

The hosts continued to manage the contest well after the restart and still held their two goal advantage midway through the second half.

With time running out, Newent appeared set to collect all three points and were still leading by two goals entering the final 10 minutes of what had been an encouraging opening afternoon.

However, Studley found a route back into the contest when Edwards pulled a goal back with only a few minutes remaining, setting up a tense finish and giving the visitors renewed belief.

The visitors threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser and were rewarded in dramatic fashion when Coffey struck deep into stoppage time to snatch a point and silence the home crowd.

While Newent will understandably feel disappointed not to have converted a commanding position into victory, there were encouraging signs from their opening display against determined opposition.

Firkin's clinical finishing, a solid first half performance and plenty of excellent saves demonstrated plenty of promise, but the closing minutes also highlighted the importance of seeing games out against experienced opponents.

Despite dropping two points at the death, Newent collected their first point of the new campaign and will hope to build on the positives when they return to action next weekend.