THE Division 1 title race is set to go down to the wire after a very late strike by Severn Tunnel's Kyle Swift against Underwood earned the Rogiet outfit a draw on Saturday.

As table-topping Sudbrook CC's home clash with second-placed Mathern FC A was called off due to an unfit pitch, Underwood had a great chance to cut the deficit.

But Kyle Swift's last-gasp goal equalised a first-half strike by Tom Turner to leave Underwood boss Sean Johnson disappointed.

"We dominated for 70 minutes and should have scored more goals, with great chances for Lee Ryder and David Jackson," he said.

"Tom Turner's strike was top drawer and Kyle Harrison was one of our stand-out players, dominating centre midfield."

But Johnson said naivety proved costly as Tunnel mounted a series of attacks in the final quarter hour, culminating in Swift's leveller.

"We were naive in not keeping possession in the last couple of minutes and a breakaway and a string of mistakes led to their goal.

"Credit to Tunnel, they were determined and committed to the end and will feel they were worthy of a point but we were disappointed to lose Josh Downing through injury in the first half.

"The league is still in our hands but we have to improve and mature if we are to secure Gwent County League football next year."

Tunnel boss Steve Duddridge saw it differently although he admitted the draw did neither side any favours.

"It gave us a mental shot in the arm with such a late leveller against a very good side," he said.

"Our last four games against Underwood have been two draws, one win and one defeat.

"They were the better side in the first half and our goalkeeper Neil Hughes, in for the ill Tom Pickin, was excellent, with one save from Lee Ryder's shot standing out.

"I think we shaded the second half so a draw was probably a fair result – even if it was one that neither side wanted."

Now firmly in the driving seat, Sudbrook CC's co-manager Daryl Cann admitted the result was a good one for his team but warned there were tough games ahead – including a home encounter against Underwood.

"Everyone's saying it's going down to the last game of the season with us and Underwood," he admitted.

"But if they drop any more points we could possibly have the title before kick off, providing we don't slip up ourselves, of course. It's going to be an exciting couple of months.