Louis' leveller
By Adam Summers

Jefferson Louis opened his account for Weymouth with two goals as they claimed a 2-2 draw against high-flying Camb-ridge United at the Wessex Stadium last night.

Louis linked up superbly with his striker partner Stuart Beavon to put the Terras ahead in the first half but some lacklustre defending in an eight-minute period in the second half saw visiting strikers Leo Fortune-West and substitute Scott Rendell both hit the target to turn the tables.

Weymouth looked like they were facing a fourth defeat in five games until on 84 minutes they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ashley Vickers.

Louis had his spot-kick saved by ex-Terras stopper Danny Potter but he managed to tuck home the rebound.

Weymouth boss Jason Tindall made one change to the starting line up that held Exeter City to a 0-0 draw last Monday with Paolo Vernazza replacing player-assistant manager Marcus Browning in the centre of midfield.

The ex-AFC Bournemouth man was sent off for two bookable offences against the Grecians meaning he had to serve a one-game suspension.

The hosts made the game's first opening after just 15 seconds when James Coutts crossed from the left for Jefferson Louis to volley over from just inside the box.

Louis then threatened again from a corner with a header before the game became a bit scrappy.

Cambridge's first chance came on 13 minutes when a high ball into the box found Lee Boylan. Matthews blocked the ex-Canvey Island striker's tame shot before Fortune-West failed to convert the rebound, which ricocheted wide for a corner.

Despite plenty of goalmouth action neither side were playing partic-ularly well.

On 28 minutes another looping ball into the Weymouth box saw Fortune-West rise above Matthews but his header was too high.

The Terras then made a great chance of their own seconds later when Kyle Critchell put Louis through. The ex-Oxford United man outpaced defender Mark Peters but when faced with just Potter to beat he shot wide of the far-post.

Louis was proving a constant threat and with seven minutes of the half remaining he finally got the goal he deserved after latching on to a fine reverse-pass by Beavon.

The angle looked against the lightning quick forward but he thundered a shot across Potter that deflected off the keeper's arm before bouncing high into the far corner of the net.

Weymouth looked in the ascen-dancy but Cambridge came back and they were unfortunate not to level before the break.

A fine tackle by Ashley Vickers and a smart save by Matthews denied Daniel Gleeson before Peters had a header from a corner cleared off the line by Simon Weatherstone.

Weymouth went in search for a second goal at the start of the second half but after United midfielder Stephen Reed had fired just over from long range, Fortune-West levelled on 62 minutes.

The ex-Doncaster Rovers man sent a low strike on the turn past Matthews after Mark Albrighton had headed down a free-kick by Rob Woolleaston.

United were now looking the more dangerous side and just seconds after Weymouth made a double change, bringing on Nick Crittenden and Gavin McCallum for Coutts and Beavon, the visitors took the lead through Rendell on 70 minutes.

The striker was allowed far too much time to turn on the edge of the six-yard box and fired home from close range after a long throw-in.

Weatherstone responded by having a long-range strike tipped over the bar by Potter before Fortune-West had a far-post header pushed wide by Matthews to keep the deficit down to just one.

With time running out the Terras were then awarded a penalty when Gavin Hoyte fouled Ashley Vickers after he had broken clear at a free- kick.

Many onlookers thought the Weymouth defender was offside when he received the ball but the flag stayed down and there was no doubt that Hoyte made contact with him in the box.

The Cambridge centre-back was lucky to escape with no further punishment.

Louis took the spot-kick and had his effort saved by Potter but the ball rebounded to him for a simple tap in to make it 2-2.

The hosts could have won it in the final minutes when McCallum let fly from 25-yards but Potter tipped the strike over the bar.