NEW Billericay Town player-coach Jamie O’Hara was in positive mood despite Concord Rangers scoring a stoppage time leveller in a pulsating local derby.

Jack Midson scored a late equaliser from the penalty spot to allow the Beach Boys to steal a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw at the Aspect Arena.

And although O’Hara - who was in the dugout as returning boss Harry Wheeler officially takes over on Monday - admitted he was disappointed not to triumph in the National League South clash, he confirmed it was a positive start for the new regime.

O’Hara said: “I thought the boys were fantastic.

“They have been great with their attitude and positivity around the place.

“It’s a fresh start for the boys here and it was a great experience for me to be gaffer.

“In the end we were disappointed to draw the game and the boys were gutted we had lost the two points late on.

“That’s a real positive because the energy and positivity is back. We’re wanting to win all three points in every game we play in.”

Alex Wall steered Frazer Shaw’s fifth minute cross home to give Concord the lead, but two goalkeeping errors from Sam Beasant allowed Billericay to turn the game on its head.

Beasant misjudged Connor Smith’s thunderous 30 yard effort, which dipped under the crossbar, before Moses Emmanuel’s shot went under the goalkeeper from an acute angle.

Emmanuel’s strike came after both sides had been reduced to 10 men.

Billericay’s Jesse Debrah - whose loan move from Millwall was confirmed just a matter of hours before kick-off - was shown two quickfire yellow cards, while Wall was dismissed soon after.

Concord sealed a late point as Lee Minshull won a spot-kick and Midson confidently slotted home.

And Sammy Moore was pleased to see his side fight until the very end of the contest.

The Beach Boys’ player-manager said: “We were frustrated with their goals but Sam has won us games and kept us in games so it’s difficult to be critical.

“For the first 35 minutes there was only one team in it because Billericay didn’t even have a shot on target until they scored.

“There were a lot of emotions in the game and the boys showed exactly what they’re about again.

“They never gave up, came from behind and there was a never-say-die attitude.”

Although Concord’s point came courtesy of a late penalty, Moore admitted the spot-kick should not have been given.

“If I’m honest I don’t think it was a penalty,” added Moore.

“But we should have had a penalty a few minutes earlier for handball so I think the referee has levelled it up.”