FROME Town squandered a two-goal lead on Wednesday night as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Merthyr Town.

With Connor Roberts, Aiden Kirby and Corby Moore unavailable, and regular starter George Miller taking his place on the bench for the first time this season, Frome were forced to shuffle their pack but were boosted by Sam Teale, Jordan Walker and Mike Bryant all being named as substitutes as they returned from long-term injuries.

The hosts struck in first-half injury time when Darren Jefferies was set free to charge into the Merthyr penalty area and as he got to the dead-ball line, he pulled the ball back for Kris Miller to hit a shot that was blocked but Jon Davies was on hand to pounce on the ricochet and hammer home.

Frome doubled their lead shortly after the break when Davies turned provider and his perfectly chipped pass found Jefferies to fire a shot across goal and find the far corner.

However, Merthyr responded by making three substitutions, with former Robins man Rhys Baggridge entering the fray, and they had the desired effect as the visitors stepped up their intensity.

The pressure paid off in the 67th minute as a Merthyr corner was hit into the near post and after it was partially cleared, Jarrad Wright drilled home low into the far corner.

Merthyr were now in the driving seat and Baggridge went close to equalising but saw his volley clear the Frome bar.

The equaliser eventually came in the 83rd minute as the Martyrs broke well from a Frome corner and as Kyle Phillips came out of his area to head clear a bouncing ball, he only managed to find Scott Tancock, who had time to control the ball and lob it over the retreating goalkeeper.

Merthyr pushed for a winner but Frome were able to hold on and were pleased to hear the final whistle blow.

That point added to the three that Josh Jeffries’ side secured last Saturday courtesy of a 2-1 away success at Banbury United.

The hosts opened the score in the 21st minute, having settled into the game as Ricky Johnson latched onto a long ball forward before firing into the roof of the Frome goal.

The Robins were able to weather the storm to keep the deficit to just one at the break and were able to draw level in the 55th minute when captain Dan Cleverley headed home a Davies corner at the near post.

The win was secured in the 69th minute when Davies provided the cross from the right for midfielder Moore to head home his first goal since re-joining the club earlier this season.