Westfields 1 Smethwick Sikh Temple 1

WEST Midland League Premier Division pacemakers Westfields were grateful to skipper Matt Phillips for his late strike which secured a draw -- their third in their last four starts - and enabled the Hereford club to hang on to top spot.

Mid-table Smethwick adopted a seven-man defence to frustrate dominant Westfields who, although enjoying early possession, could not break down the determined visitors who were backed up by a confident goalkeeper.

The leaders were rocked back when they conceded a first-half free-kick just outside the box and, as Westfields lined up a defensive wall, Ricky Carter fired a superb drive past Mark Hopkins.

Westfields struggled to maintain their shape and rhythm as Smethwick got behind the ball in numbers. Paul Burton had a shot cleared off the line and a powerful 20-yarder from James Watkins was deflected for a corner.

Smethwick almost went two up when a quick counter-attack was only foiled by the legs of a diving Hopkins.

Then, with time running out, Phillips came to the rescue when he collected a weak clearance on the edge of the box to rifle home a welcome 89th-minute equaliser.