Bromley surrendered top spot in the Conference South after throwing away a 2-0 interval lead at Bath City on Saturday.

Instead they were forced to settle for a share of the spoils as a last minute Andy Watkins equaliser rescued a point for the hosts.

In another poor performance by Bromley, it was no more than the hosts deserved in a game of the proverbial two halves - the visitors just edging the first period, the home side the second.

With a blustery wind on their backs, Bath keeper Jason Mellor fumbled a penetrating early before Ali Fuseini’s free-kick bounced off the keeper’s chest a few minutes later.

At the other end, Alan Julian did well to block with his legs to keep out Ross Stearn’s 30-yard drive before a touch of fortune fell the visitors way in the 18th minute as Bromley opened the scoring.

A comedy of errors allowed Bradley Goldberg to nip in between Dan Ball and Pat Kealy to place his effort over Mellor into the top left hand corner of the net.

Nick McCootie outpaced Callum McNaughton down the right and flashed a shot into the side-netting.

Bromley doubled their lead on 35 minutes from the penalty spot after Anthony Cook, back in the side following a car accident, went on a mazy run which took him into the area where he was tripped by Kealy. 

There was some confusion as to who would take the resultant spot-kick but eventually Cook stepped up to comfortably slot home.

The second half was a complete shambles as far as Bromley were concerned, they lost all their shape and composure as they were pushed back for long periods by a rejuvenated home side.

Julian saved their blushes in the 47th minute with a great reaction save after Chas Hemmings’ shot took a wicked deflection.

And the Ravens keeper was quickly off his line to deny McCootie ten minutes later after the striker had bludgeoned his way into the danger zone.

The pressure from the hosts quickly paid off as Bath reduced the arrears on 59 minutes. 

David Pratt raced 30 yards to retrieve a ball which Bromley defenders had given up chasing, crossing for Naby Diallo to fire home at the far post with a deflected shot off defender Joe Anderson. 

Despite blatant time wasting tactics by the visitors desperate to retain their narrow lead, Bath continued to outplay Bromley with Stearn twice putting free-kicks over the bar. 

Pratt and Ashley Kingston squandered good chances, but with one minute remaining Bath deservedly levelled the scores.

A long cross was headed on by Pratt into the path of Stearn, who took the ball to the edge of the area before crossing to the far post. 

Julian and Rob Swaine left the ball for each other, allowing substitute Watkins, who had only been on the field six minutes, to fire home from close range.

With five games remaining it is still in Bromley’s hands to gain automatic promotion.

But on current form with only one win in their last five outings, those hopes are beginning to fade.

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Bromley: Julian, Rodgers, Anderson, Fuseini, Swaine, McNaughton, Ademola (Waldren 80), Prestedge, Slabber (May 46), Goldberg, Cook. Subs not used: Dennis, Pinnock, Joseph-Dubois. Att: 515.