STAR MATCH: BISHOPSTON UNITED 1 ROCKLEAZE RANGERS 1: Runaway Division III leaders Rockleaze Rangers dropped points for the first time this season as they were held to a draw by third-placed Bishopston United.

A determined Bishopston side pushed the visitors all the way and a solid defensive performance, especially from star man James Pearson, restricted the usually free-scoring Rockleaze attack to few clear-cut chances.

Hosts Bishopston had the first sight of goal two minutes in. Sam Baker flicked the ball through to James Bailey, who swung it into the box, but Finlay Greener was unable to finish the chance.

Rockleaze hit back and Tom Ashford played a fine through-ball to Jordan Lindo, but home keeper Sam Leitch blocked the striker's shot with his legs.

Rockleaze had another opportunity when Leitch's goal-kick was headed back over the Bishopston defence by Ricky Wilson, allowing Lindo to run clear, but his low shot was off target.

Ashford then set Lindo sprinting away again but, under pressure from Bishopston right-back Sam Cox, he scuffed his shot and Leitch was able to collect comfortably.

Despite the early Rockleaze pressure, it was Bishopston who took the lead on 20 minutes. A long ball from Baker sent Sammy Tikly running through, although the delivery was slightly over-hit and it looked as though keeper Nick Adams was going to deal with it.

However, Adams' attempted clearance struck Tikly and bounced towards goal. Adams made a desperate attempt to dive at the forward's feet but it was in vain as Tikly tucked the ball home.

Rockleaze continued to press and two minutes after falling behind they were back level. Chris McGill's free-kick from a tight angle was floated into the box and, after Jonny Bradbeer's initial header struck the post, the midfielder tucked away the rebound.

Ashford continued to drive his team forward, this time setting up Wilson, but Bishopston centre- back Jack Shearman pulled off a great tackle to stop the striker in his tracks.

Bishopston had a chance to snatch the lead when Ollie Hurst played a fantastic crossfield ball to Tikly, who teed up Jonty Flynn for a shot which narrowly cleared the crossbar, while, at the other end, Leitch saved well from an Ashford volley.

The visitors created the first chance of the second half when Pete Summers' long ball was flicked on by Wilson, allowing Nick Coles to run through. But as he closed in on the Bishopston goal, Shearman came across with another fantastic sliding tackle to clear the ball for a corner.

A few minutes later, good work by Bailey down the left allowed him time to put in a cross, which was only cleared as far as Hurst. He struck it towards goal but a big deflection off a Rockleaze defender sent the ball spinning into the arms of Adams.

Bishopston threatened again when a superb crossfield ball from Hurst found Bailey in acres of space galloping towards goal, but his shot was a poor one when he really should have done better.

The home side had another marvellous chance to take the lead after Jonny Alden tackled Rockleaze centre-back Harry O'Conor, leaving the striker with a clear path to goal, but he rushed his shot as Adams raced out to shut down the angle and put the ball wide.

Rockleaze had an opportunity to take the lead when they earned a free-kick on the edge of the Bishopston box. McGill curled it right-footed towards the far top corner of the net, but it didn't bend enough and the ball sailed out for a goal-kick.

With a few minutes remaining, Rockleaze had a fantastic opportunity to clinch victory as McGill's brilliant ball deep into the Bishopston box found Wilson. However, the striker's close-range volley was a fraction too high as it scraped over the crossbar. Right at the death, Bishopston almost stole all three points.

Tikly found himself at the back post with the ball at his feet, but his shot was wonderfully saved by Adams at the expense of a corner.

Both sets of defenders could feel proud of their efforts. Summers, O'Conor, Joe Brooks and, particularly, Joad Shaban performed capably for Rockleaze, while Cox, Shearman, Ewan Campbell and the impeccable Pearson stood strong for Bishopston as they nullified the visitors' goal threat.

Bishopston United: Sam Leitch, Sam Cox, Jack Shearman, James Pearson, Ewan Campbell, Sam Baker, James Bailey, Finlay Greener, Jonty Flynn, Owain Joslin, Sammy Tikly, Ollie Hurst, Jonny Alden.

Rockleaze Rangers: Nick Adams, Joad Shaban, Harry O'Conor, Joe Brooks, Tom Ashford, Jonny Bradbeer, Chris McGill, Chris Toole, Jordan Lindo, Ricky Wilson, Nick Coles, Pete Summers, Ben Fisher, Dale Barratt, Yusuf Ahmed.

STAR MAN: James Pearson (Bishopston United): A rock-solid performance in defence, he led the defensive line well and carried an attacking threat with his free-kicks.