NEWENT Town finished the year with a battling nine-man 1-1 draw at high-flying Shortwood United on Saturday, giving themselves hope in their battle to beat the drop.

The Daffs remarkably played the whole second half two men short after two red cards just before half-time, and not only held on for a draw but even hit the crossbar late on.

Newent took the lead after 10 minutes, a strong run down the right from Corey Hill resulting in a dangerous cross for Deqon Ebanks to prod a finish through the legs of Joe Wright.

Shortwood responded on the half hour though, Tom King breaking through on the lefthand side, and his saved shot falling to Elliot Martin who curled into the top corner.

In the closing moments of the half a Newent challenge on the edge of their area sparked a mass brawl, resulting in reds for both Ebanks and Mitchel Butterworth, as well as a shredded shirt for a Shortwood player.

Newent embraced their task after the break though, defending for their lives.

And late on, their one foray forward saw Thomas McCallum’s effort from range float over Wright’s head and bounce off the bar.

Although they remain nine points from safety, the draw and a recent win are signs they may have turned a corner under boss Romayne Thomas.

Indeed, a 5-2 defeat at league leaders Droitwich Spa seven days earlier also showed fight.

They trailed 4-0 at half-time, and 5-0 with half an hour to play, but Yeshaya Lomotey then picked the ball up midway in the Droitwich half to fire the goal of the game for 5-1 on 73 minutes.

Ten minutes later and Taylor got another back with a great turn and low drive that nestled inside the near post.

And it could have been 5-3 as substitute George Callinan flashed a low drive across goal.