PAUL COPLEY completed a whirlwind first 24 hours in charge of Faversham Town by applauding his players from the rain-sodden pitch at The Charles Ground.
The club's new caretaker boss looked on in delight as the Lilywhites twice came from behind to force a share of the spoils courtesy of Brad Maguire and man-of-the-match Dave Read.
Unrest at Salters Lane? Far from it if this solid team performance is anything to go by.
Copley agreed to take control late on Monday night following the departure of Terry Cordice and Peter Holder and the new man at the helm was visibly thrilled to see the Lilywhites demonstrate a level of grit and determination that has been sadly lacking in recent months.
This Kent League Premier Division clash, played largely in monsoon-type conditions, saw Copley opt for a 4-4-2 formation with the club's youth development officer Ray Turner making his first competitive appearance for the first team.
Firefighter Turner slotted in well down the right-hand side of a midfield quartet featuring the impressive Read and Steve Aslett in the centre with Maguire on the left.
Anthony Pace and Andy Martin worked hard in attack while the new-look defence proved equally at home as a four with Gary Stock at right back and Mark Smith filling in on the left.
James Holder and Wes Hammond rose to meet the challenge of playing without the protection of Stock at sweeper and Town looked better balanced all over the park.
The first-half witnessed just a few clear-cut chances with Anthony Pace going close on 20 minutes with a low drive into the side-netting.
But then a near-perfect performance by the Town back four was spoiled on 42 minutes when a long ball found John Utterson in space on the right.
And the Deal striker calmly slotted the ball past goalkeeper Tony Diment although Copley later claimed Maguire had been caught with an elbow earlier in the move.
If that was the case then Maguire certainly did not suffer any after effects because he was razor-sharp to score the equaliser on 52 minutes.
The Deal defence failed to clear an Aslett free-kick and Maguire was quickest to react, finding the net from close range.
Faversham conceded a penalty four minutes later although many thought the decision more than a little harsh on keeper Diment.
Yet Dave Bathgate was asking no questions and he put Deal 2-1 ahead with a cool finish from 12 yards.
Despite the setback, Town kept their composure and were rewarded for their efforts when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball fall to Read who levelled the scores with a well-taken goal.
The last half-hour saw both sides push on in search of the winner as the rain continued to lash down.
And both teams had penalty claims rejected with Faversham full-back Mark Smith more than a little fortunate to escape punishment.
Town's Top Man: Dave Read - good all-round performance capped by a well-taken goal
Marks (out of 10): Tony Diment 7, Gary Stock 7, Mark Smith 7, Wes Hammond 8, James Holder 8, Dave Read 9, Ray Turner 8, Steve Aslett 8, Andy Martin 7, Anthony Pace 6, Bradley Maguire 7. Substitutes: Nicky Scott (for Martin, 77 minutes)
7, Dean Walker-McKenzie (for Aslett, 89) 7. Not Used: Richard Gamble, Julian Beal, Wayne Farrell
