Whilst this was the first friendly defeat in 2 years for PNS, the first half showing from a severely depleted squad on a poor surface at Ouwell was probably the most promising period of pre-season so far.

Mark Baines, Garth Jelleyman, Karl Gibbs, Ronnie Fortune, Daniel Clements & Nathan Horne were all missing from Saturday's win over Letchworth and joined Lee Blewett on the absentee list.

PNS dominated the opening 45 minutes and will be disappointed not to have gone in at half-time in front. It was the hosts that actually took the lead on 33 minutes following a slip by Tom Moran. Jon Stead, who had already rattled the crossbar with one effort, drew PNS level 6 minutes later.

The small squad, the fact that it was the 3rd friendly in 6 days, and the enforcement of the rather stupid rule that does not allow for players to come back on in some friendlies, meant that PNS did not carry the same threat in the 2nd period and went behind after failing to clear a ball across their 6 yard box.

The generator then packed in, meaning that only 35 minutes was possible in the 2nd half, but in truth PNS had not looked like forcing a 2nd equalizer.

All in all, this meant that 3 out of the 4 friendlies had been good competitive affairs against varied oppositon and on different surfaces and with one game to go, PNS are starting to shape up quite nicely.