A DRAMATIC injury time equaliser saw Buckland Athletic come away from Exmouth Town with a share of the Western League Devon Derby spoils on Wednesday night.

The hosts had led 1-0 for most of the game after Owen Howe’s early strike, but substitute Ryan Bush struck back with moments to go – sparking wild celebrations from the travelling side.

Exmouth hit the front after eight minutes when Ben Steer’s shot on the angle was parried to Howe, who tapped in for the evening’s opening goal.

Buckland’s Charlie Johansen would see a scuffed shot saved at the other end, before having vocal appeals for a penalty turned down following a tangle in the box.

Town skipper Max Gillard found himself in the right place at the right time to hook a header off the line from a corner as the Bucks applied more pressure.

But the final chance of an even first half would fall the way of the home side, with Tom Gardner sliding an effort wide of Andy Collings’ left-hand post.

Seven minutes after the break and the game encountered its first real flashpoint. Gillard pounced on a stray ball and looked to counter before being brought down unceremoniously by Owen Stockton, sparking a scuffle between the two sides.

Once everyone had calmed down again, Stockton was shown a yellow card by referee Mike Halford.

Buckland continued to up the ante as they went in search of an equaliser, while Exmouth looked to take advantage when the visitors committed men forward.

Former Bucks man James Richards had a shot parried by Collings as Bush, on as a substitute for Levi Landricombe, headed wide at the opposite end.

Collings played a huge part in keeping his side in it with 10 minutes remaining. Substitute Callum Shipton unleashed a shot on the edge of the box which looked destined for the far corner, but the Bucks stopper leapt to his right to somehow turn it around the post.

That save proved crucial deep into time added on when Josh Webber’s low cross was turned in by Bush.

At full-time, Buckland assistant manager Danny Gaze said that he thought a draw was the least that his side deserved.

‘We went in at half-time feeling like we deserved to be leading, probably,’ he said. ‘Their goal was a poor one from our point of view and on the balance of play we thought we were the better team. ‘The more the game went on we committed more players forward to get that goal and they opened us up at the back a few times. Our keeper’s made a top save at the end.

‘We were on top without creating many clear-cut chances and I think a draw is probably a fair result.’

Gaze, who is deputising for absent Bucks boss Paul Froude, was also pleased with Bush’s crucial contribution from the bench.

‘Levi [Landricombe] said he could come in and help us today,’ said Gaze. ‘Bushy didn’t have much of a pre-season.

‘He’s had Covid, the shoulder injury and he’s played three games in a week, so I thought I’d save him and bring him on later.

‘I said to him I don’t care what you do when you come on, just score – and he’s done that. I’m so proud of the lads, we have a really good bunch this year.’

The two Devon sides will face off for the third time already this season when Exmouth visit Homers Heath on Monday (3pm).

‘It’s always a good game of football,’ Gaze added. ‘Hilly [Kevin Hill] sets his teams up well and they’re competitive.

‘It may not have been a game for the purist tonight, but it was exciting – and I’m looking forward to playing them at home on Monday when we’re back to full-strength.’