Hythe Town lost a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at high flying South Park on Saturday afternoon.

It was South Park who began the game on top with their first opportunity coming on three minutes as Kieran Lavery cut in from the left and found space to hit a right footed shot wide of the target and then within a another two minutes the exact same move saw Jack Mazzone have his shot held by Hythe Town keeper, Will Godmon.

The hosts continued to press as a neat one-two between Chris Smith and Lavery saw the latter’s attempt blocked well by Godmon coming off his line. Hythe had to wait 14 minutes for their first effort as Kieron Campbell hit a 25 yard shot that sailed over the bar.

The Cannons were settling into the game and created a further chance as Dean Grant pounced on a defensive error but his shot went just wide. The next quarter of an hour saw few chances until 35 minutes as Hythe took the lead. Jerald Aboagye forced his way to the by-line pulling the ball back to Grant who tapped home from close range. Charlie Webster was next to threaten as he put in a dangerous cross which went in to the arms of South Park keeper, Callum Thomas.  The hosts did have one opportunity just before half time as Smith put in a cross which was pushed away by Godmon before South Park could capitalise.

The period after half time saw Hythe in control of the game and they were two up within two minutes of the restart.  Jordan Johnson-Palmer threaded a superb through ball to Jerson Dos Santos who placed the ball past Thomas and into the corner of the net. Despite appearing to control that part of the game, Hythe were still having to deal with some breakaways as firstly Lavery sent in a dipping free kick which was tipped over by Godmon and after the resultant corner Mazzone hooked an effort into the arms of the Hythe goalkeeper.

As the half progressed, South Park began to look the more likely as Joe Jackson broke through but fired over the bar and then they pulled a goal back on 70 minutes as Adam Pullin crossed from the right and Jackson headed in at the near post. There were a couple of opportunities for Hythe to regain a two goal lead as a Wilson cross found Ryan Johnson who had two attempts with the first one being blocked and the second going over the bar. Then Ryan Palmer broke in from the left but pushed the ball wide of the far post.

However with three minutes left on the clock, South Park got the equaliser as Chris Smith lobbed the ball over Godmon to hit the far post and go into the net off the rebound. It was a disappointing end to the game which could have been worse had Jackson made more of his opportunity as he caught Dave Cook in possession finding himself one on one with Godmon but missed the target with his attempt.

Whilst it was disappointing to lose a two goal lead it was probably a point Hythe would have been happy when the game started. They must now press on as they entertain Faversham Town in league fixture on Tuesday evening at Reachfields.

Team: Will Godmon, Jerald Aboagye, Ben Wilson, Ryan Johnson, Mitchell Dickenson, Jordan Johnson-Palmer (Sid Sollis 90 mins), Dave Cook, Charlie Webster, Dean Grant, Jerson Dos Santos (Ryan Palmer 78 mins), Kieron Campbell (Mitchell Chapman 66 mins).

Scorers: South Park-Joe Jackson 70 mins, Chris Smith 87 mins. Hythe Town-Dean Grant 35 mins, Jerson Dos Santos 48 mins

Attendance: 77