Gloucestershire Northern Senior League Division Two

Dursley Town 3 Stroud Harriers 2

KEIRAN Austin and Tom Deakin both scored spectacular volleys as Dursley fought every inch of the way to beat high-flying Stroud Harriers at the Rec on Saturday.

Adam Baker had already hit the crossbar with a long-range effort by the time Town went in front courtesy of a stunning volley from Austin, who started in midfield.

Deakin’s left-wing cross was headed away, only for Austin to volley the dropping ball into the net from 25 yards before the goalkeeper could even think about moving.

Not long afterwards it was two as Austin charged in at the far post to powerfully head Jake Dolbear’s cross into the corner of the net with the goalkeeper again helpless.

Harriers had lacked urgency before the break, but they halved the deficit early in the second period when the tall figure of Luke Roberts headed in from a long throw.

Ten minutes from time, the visitors wanted a penalty when goalkeeper Keith Watson collided with Craig Cole on the edge of the box, but the referee waved play on.

Watson, only playing because of Pete Dykes’ ankle injury, suffered a bad one of his own as he fell awkwardly, but with no more substitutes he stayed on the field.

Deakin then volleyed Bruno Goncalves cross in for a third before Harriers hit a second almost immediately and then had a last-gasp header ruled out for offside.

Dursley: K Watson; S Hobbs, S Miles, M Workman, P Miles; M Sims (T Clark 70), A Baker, K Austin (B Goncalves 60); J Dolbear, J Shimman, T Deakin.

Goals: Austin (20 & 30), Deakin (85).

* Robbie Cox’s Dursley reserve team were beaten 4-1 at Minchinhampton in Stroud League Division Three despite at one stage drawing level through Kyle Ward.