TWO last-ditch strikes denied Weymouth Reserves all three points from a dramatic tussle with Poole Borough.

Phil Ross and John Bates both scored in stoppage time as the title-chasing Terras had to settle for a share of the Magna Dorset Premier League spoils at Turlin Moor.

Earlier, midfield maestro Joe Toghill had netted either side of the break against his former club on a blistering return to his old stomping ground.

The visitors looked in full control and were poised to bounce back in style from a shock first defeat of the season by Parley Sports, before the Hornets produced a sting in the tail.

Controversy reigned as the referee allowed nearly nine minutes of second-half added time, the eighth of which saw Bates level after Ross had reduced the arrears.

Asked for his view on the amount of injury time, assistant-boss Chris Wilson said: “My watch stopped at nearly 54 minutes and where the referee got almost nine from, I’m not sure.

“He said there was only one match ball and he was adding on time whenever it got kicked out of play and had to be collected.

“That wasn’t out fault, but we got punished for it. We felt pretty comfortable at 2-0 and I don’t think they had threatened us before they scored.

“But we can be pretty pleased with how we performed because we didn’t do too much wrong over the course of the game, apart from a lack of concentration at the end.

“Maybe it was a bit of inexperience on our part, but the boys did everything we asked of them except in those last few minutes.”

Weymouth bossed the opening skirmishes and were rewarded on 10 minutes when Toghill headed past Dell Burton following a pinpoint delivery from Sam Poole.

Livewire Jamie Holland, the Hornets’ primary weapon, came closest to restoring parity and was thwarted by a fine save from gloveman Ashley Weeks shortly before the interval.

After a relatively unremarkable first period, the temperature began to rise as Toghill made it 2-0 on 52 minutes, firing high into the net.

Skipper Warren White and Bates were both cautioned following a scuffle after White had committed a rash challenge, to which the Poole defender reacted angrily.

Adam Watson hit the woodwork direct from a free-kick that Weeks had misjudged and opted to leave, before Holland had a goal disallowed for offside.

Despite the Hornets’ growing confidence and influence, there was little indication of the pandemonium that was to ensue as the match ticked over into stoppage time.

On 93 minutes, Ross blasted home from the edge of the box after a free-kick had been partially cleared by the Terras’ defence.

The visiting contingent became increasingly vocal as play continued and deep into the 98th minute their fears were realised when Bates scrambled the ball over the line from a corner.

Several Weymouth players held their heads in their hands in sheer disbelief, before the referee blew his whistle within seconds of the restart.

Boss Mark Carter remonstrated with the officials in the aftermath, but Poole’s late show saw second-placed Weymouth slip seven points behind leaders Hamworthy Recreation.

Terras: Weeks, Robinson, Poole, Clarke, J Charles, Litherland, Reiffer, Marshallsay, White (McKechnie 67), Conning (Kimber 76), Toghill (Taylor 86).