A last-minute Matt Richards volley salvaged Town a 1-1 draw in the first pre-season tour game against Dutch side Willem II. The Tilburg-based club had gone ahead earlier in the second half through ex-Spurs man Mounir El Hamdaoui.

The first half was a quiet affair with the 90-degree heat slowing both sides down. Town's main chance came in the 15th minute, Nicky Forster seeing an effort saved after a goalmouth scramble.

Perhaps surprisingly the game was a less than friendly friendly with Jaime Peters somewhat cynically felled by a defender after beating him down the right, causing the referee to issue the first of five yellow cards.

The second half was a better spectacle with Willem II's former Spurs striker Mounir El Hamdaoui particularly lively. Early on Ian Westlake got his name in the referee's book for a foul.

Forster shot just over then, trialist defender Indridi Sigurdsson did well to clear a Willem II effort.

Westlake saw a volley saved and was then involved in a neat interchange with Forster but the striker was forced wide by the Dutch defence.

The home side came more into it as the half wore on with the game continuing to be niggly, Jason De Vos particularly involved in the jostling for position at corners.

Naylor did well to clear a shot but on the hour mark Willem II went in front, El Hamdaoui showing quick feet and giving Shane Supple no chance from just outside the area.

On 63 a disinterested-looking Darren Currie was replaced with Matt Richards. Soon after French trialist Alexis Bertin won the ball in midfield, found Forster who played the ball to Peters on the right but the keeper did well to claim his cross.

Sigurdsson became the second Town player to be cautioned by the over-fussy referee in the 70th minute for a foul.

Danny Haynes and Dean Bowditch were introduced for the last 20 minutes for Bertin and Parkin. The former Le Havre man again did well and will probably prove a useful foil for Owen Garvan or Gavin Williams in the centre of midfield if he is offered a contract.

Sigurdsson received a blow to the head with 12 minutes remaining but didn't look seriously injured, however, Scott Barron took over for the remainder of the match.

The Icelander had had a solid if unspectacular match and certainly looked big enough to play at centre-half as well as at left-back. In a difficult game to shine he did little wrong, making one or two decent challenges and defending the far post better than a couple of current players did on occasion last season.

Clarke took over from Forster shortly before Haynes looked to be in with a chance of chasing down a through ball but a defender got across to block.

The Dutch team's unsavoury side was again in evidence with a minute left, Clarke being taken out having beaten his man with another yellow card the result.

With little time left on the clock, a corner was eventually cleared to the edge of the box from where Matt Richards sent the 200 or so Town fans wild with a net-bound volley.

Town: Supple, Wilnis, Sigurdsson (Barron 78), Naylor, De Vos, Bertin (Haynes 71), Westlake, Currie (Richards 63), Peters, Parkin (Bowditch 71), Forster (Clarke 83).

Thanks to Colin O'Day for the report.

Photo: Action Images

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