WEYMOUTH boss Mark Molesley rued missed chances as Bath City came back to earn a 1-1 draw in their Vanarama National League South clash at the Bob Lucas Stadium on Tuesday.
A fifth-minute own goal from Romans’ centre-back Alex Hartridge set a dominant first half into motion for the Terras.
However, Josh McQuoid twice missed chances and Ollie Harfield saw a rasping drive beaten away by replacement goalkeeper Harvey Wiles-Richards as Weymouth failed to score a second.
McQuoid also missed the target from 15 yards when unmarked before Tyler Harvey converted a 58th-minute penalty when Weymouth keeper Calum Ward was adjudged to have brought down Adam Mann near the byline.
The draw backed up Saturday’s 2-1 win over Maidstone, with the Terras currently sitting in seventh.
Speaking to Echosport, Molesley hailed an “entertaining” game at which 1,615 supporters were present.
He said: “We started really well and had a rampant first half, we really took the game to them.
“It was quite a difficult evening, quite windy, quite a dry pitch but I thought we started really well and caused a lot of problems.
“Sometimes when you’re in the ascendancy at this level you’ve got to try and make your chances count. We didn’t do that again – similar to the first half at Maidstone.
“It was a good first half and we deservedly went in 1-0 up. Second half they changed their shape, grew into the game and had a really strong half.
“It was entertaining, end-to-end and neither side could get the breakthrough.”
Commenting on the penalty, Molesley hinted the decision seemed soft.
“I’m disappointed with the goal,” he said. “I’ve watched it back – it’s not a penalty. It’s a good save from our goalkeeper and he’s got his foot on the ball.
“It’s clever from their guy who won the penalty, fair play to him. It was a good second-half performance from them, make no bones about it.
“They’re a good side, they’ve been in the play-offs the last two years and we’re testing ourselves against these good teams.
“We were more than worthy of a draw and I’m disappointed not to get the win but possibly our second-half performance didn’t quite do enough to grab all three points.
“We’ve learnt a lot, how to manage certain periods in the game better. All in all it’s four points, we’re unbeaten in two games against two very good sides.”
Molesley added: “You’ve got to give credit to Bath. They’re a good side, they’ve come out and changed their system.
“We had a great chance at 1-0 to maybe put it to bed and they grew in confidence.
“We’re still learning, we’re new to the league and we’ve run a good race with a very good side.
“We’ve seen a few things with some areas to improve on but on the whole I think the boys have shown a good start to life in the league.”
