Straight from the whistle Totton went on the attack and a break down the left flank saw winger Ashley Clarke forge his way into the box before being brought down. A strong appeal for a penalty was turned down but Parkways relief was short-lived.

Immediately forcing a corner on the right, the cross being met unchallenged for a free header by Tony Lee who put the visitors ahead after just 70 seconds. A very soft goal to concede from Parkways perspective.

Totton continued in the ascendency and after 11 minutes, Tom Blair had a 20 yard drive turned around the post by Harry Lee for another corner which was easily defended.

On 14 minutes, the first yellow card was awarded to the visitors Adam Tomasso for a foul on Frankie Monk for a mistimed sliding tackle. There was a lengthy injury delay for Monk before he was able to resume playing. Four minutes later, a poor kicked clearance from Parkway keeper Lee fell invitingly to Tomasso but he blazed over from 25 yards.

Parkway threatened on 20 minutes when Mitch Beardmore provided a dangerous cross from the right and in a six-yard box scramble, Carlo Garside was just unable to connect.

On 26 minutes, good interplay between Beardmore and Callum Hall on the edge of the box came to nothing when well defended. Parkway were now growing into the game after Tottons’ fast start.

A good flowing move from Totton on 34 minutes where they switched play from right to left and back again, but an offside flag rescued Parkway when Ashlley Clarke was waiting to pounce. At the same time a double injury for Parkway caused another delay but both Carlo Garside and Frankie Monk did recover.

Soon after, the visitors Ethan Taylor played in Tom Blair who was through on goal only for keeper Harry Lee to rush out and make a brave diving save at his feet forcing the ball out for a corner. The corner from the right, as per the opening goal, once again led to a powerful free header for Sam Magri and Lee could only parry the effort back out to Tony Lee who smashed the ball home from six yards for 0-2. A second soft goal to concede.

A yellow card on 41 minutes was harshly awarded to Callum Hall when his sliding tackle appeared clean. This resulted in a further yellow card for dissent for Parkway manager Chris McPhee.

On 44 minutes a well hit shot from Tony Lee from 25 yards was deflected off Shane White and was saved low down by Harry Lee, thus denying his namesake his hat-trick. The three added minutes saw a shot from Rio Garside well wide of the Totton post.

Parkway competed well in the first half after a whirlwind start by the visitors but two soft goals from corners had left them a mountain to climb.

Changes were made at half-time by both sides with Charlie Austin coming on for Ashley Clarke and Joe Wragg replacing Carlo Garside who had picked up an injury.

Parkway looked rejuvenated and immediately exerted pressure on the Totton defence. This pressure told on 51 minutes when a break down the right saw Monk play top-scorer Dylan Jones in, and he fired home from 10 yards to get the home side back into the game. Parkway were good value for their goal.

On 52 minutes, Callum Hall picked up a loose ball 20 yards out and hit a powerful low drive just past the left post. A couple of Parkway corners soon followed which came to nothing before Wragg slid the ball through to Beardsmore on 58 who unleashed a 30 yard effort which went high and wide. Parkway were now well in control and you could sense an equaliser coming.

On 61 minutes, a let-off for Parkway when the ball fell kindly for Tony Lee after a quick throw-in, and he shot low for the corner but just past the left hand post. A double substitution for Totton followed on 65 minutes with Josh Owers and Marcel McIntosh replacing Tony Lee and Tom Blair.

On 70 minutes, a dangerous run along the dead ball line by Rio Garside threatened to produce the goods but he was well tackled and the attack ended. Wave after wave of attacks were now coming from Parkway and Totton were content to slow the game down which resulted in a yellow for Luke Bennett for taking too long to take a throw-in. On 72 minutes a corner from Parkway was well delivered but Monk was deemed to have fouled the visiting keeper, Josh Gould.

Both debutants Monk and Endacott for Parkway were enjoying fine matches and it was a cross from the edge of the box by the latter which drew huge appeals for a penalty from Parkway when the ball appeared to strike a wayward hand, but the referee waved play on and the resultant corner was well defended.

A good move on 77 minutes saw excellent link up play between Monk, Jones and finally Callum Hall whose first time shot from 18 yards sailed over. Immediately Totton replaced Tega Agberhiere with Declan Rose.

By now driving rain was falling continuously but the significant investment in the pitch during close-season saw it holding up very well. Hopefully this is a sign of things to come.

On 82 minutes, immediately following a Totton booking, Taylor Scarff received the ball on the edge of the box from a free-kick but shot wildly over from a good position. Scarff had enjoyed a good performance throughout the match.

James Watts-Barciela replaced Monk who had looked the part up front for Parkway. A rare Totton attack on 86 minutes saw a shot deflected for a corner. Almost immediately, Parkway were back on the attack when Hall played a precision pass into the box to Joe Wragg who attempted a cheeky back heel flick which forced a good diving save from Gould. The resultant corner was cleared only to Hall who fired his shot well over the bar.

Four added minutes were played which saw two bookings for Totton and one for Parkways’ Tom Dean for a mistimed tackle.

The second half performance from Parkway merited a point against their illustrious opponents but alas, this did not materialise. They should nevertheless take confidence from this and try once more for their first league win at mid-table Chertsey on Saturday when they visit the capital. This will quickly be followed by a trip to high-flying Dorchester next Tuesday. Parkway remain in 21^st place with bottom side Marlow losing 5-0 at home to Chertsey.