Arundel held to draw by Loxwood

The Mullets were in Sussex Senior and Peter Bentley Cup action in their previous two matches and picked up a point on their return to the league.

Arundel assistant coach Chris Stewart was happy with his side’s performance and said: “It was a good battling effort from us.

“I thought we were the better side in the opening half and they edged the second.

“James (Fernandes) was forced into a couple of saves as they pushed on later in the game.

“I was really pleased with our defending as a unit as it is something that we have really struggled with in the previous two games.

“After falling behind so early it was a real test of the players’ character, especially after struggling in the last couple of weeks, but we had a lot of players returning for the game.”

It was Loxwood who started the better and went ahead inside a minute when Michael Wood chested in a Shaun Findlay cross.

Arundel responded well, though, and nearly levelled eight minutes later through Scott Wilson but his shot flashed across the face of goal.

The Mullets continued to search for an equaliser and could have had it on 12 minutes as Liam Da Costa played in Rory Biggs, but his shot was saved by Chris Coles in the visitors’ goal.

Alex Biggs did get the hosts back on terms just seven minutes later when he side- footed home from close range following a Scott Tipper knock-down.

Loxwood should have gone ahead on 34 minutes as Wood crossed for Findlay but his header was well saved.

The second half proved to be quite a dull affair with neither side creating any real openings.

Loxwood could have snatched all three points late on but Mark Cave saw his effort stopped by Fernandes as the game finished level.

ARUNDEL: Fernandes; Walker, Bibb, Heward; L.Da Costa, Wilson, Clark, A.Biggs, R.Biggs; Richards, Tipper. Subs: Grove (A.Biggs), Wilson (Hunter), R.Big(Backler), N.Da Costa.