Two Jordan Palmer goals and a brace of Jonah Gosling penalties meant the local derby between Braintree Town Reserves and Halstead Town ended with honours even.

Braintree had won 1-0 with a goal by Gosling when the two teams met in a Thurlow Nunn League division one clash at Rosemary Lane on Saturday, so Halstead were looking for revenge as the action moved to the Amlin Stadium for the return fixture.

It was Braintree's first home game since December 7 and they fell behind in the 30th minute when Palmer forced the ball in from close range after a rebound had fallen kindly for him.

They were pegged back four minutes later when Gosling fired home from the penalty spot after a foul in the Halstead box, but the visitors regained the lead before the break.

It was Palmer on target again as he turned in Adam Holmes' swinging free-kick and that was how it stayed at half-time.

The second half was an even affair with neither side able to create too much in the way of clear-cut chances, but just as it looked as if Halstead would gain three valuable points, the hosts were handed a lifeline.

A rash challenge by skipper Lewis Cunliffe on Braintree's Dean Gilder in the area was spotted as a foul by the linesman in the 85th minute and Gosling stepped forward to score again from the penalty spot as the hosts were able to claim a point.