Sheerness East were held 4-4 by Otford on Saturday despite leading 4-0 at half-time.

Playing their third successive home game in the Vandanel Kent County League Division 1 East, the Island side had the perfect start after 10 minutes when a breakaway saw Craig Holland’s goal-bound shot handled on the line. The Otford defender was sent-off and Holland converted the spot-kick.

East went 2-0 ahead in the 33rd minute when John Martin’s header went over the keeper. Ben O’Neil drove home from the edge of the area and Holland grabbed his second with a well-placed shot to make it 4-0 at half-time.

O’Neil went close again in the 56th minute when his shot hit the bar but Otford pulled a goal back with a free-kick two minutes later.

Phil Perkins made it 4-2 after 66 minutes and Otford then broke from a Sheerness corner with 15 minutes left for Callum Hill to make it 4-3.

With two minutes left, Otford completed an amazing comeback when Richard Higgin made a good save from a corner but the rebound was nodded in at the far post.

East travel to Oakwood this Saturday in the first round of the Bill Manklow Inter Regional Challenge Cup.