Although one point was enough to lift them two places off the bottom of National League division three (west), Tenby United were unlucky not to pick up all three in this clash with Aberavon Quins at Heywood Lane on Saturday.
The Seasiders were sitting on a 14-5 lead going into the final third before a controversial yellow carding reduced them to 14 men and the Quins took advantage to add 12 points in those 10 minutes and snatch the lead.
A penalty by Neil Powling levelled matters to earn a justified draw, although visiting fullback Jason Larkman could have pinched it, but he was off target with a penalty in time added on.
While struggling a little in the scrums, high leaping Kiwi Matt Cammack provided Tenby with a useful platform at the linesout, while a tight driving game by the forwards saw the United enjoy a territorial advantage for most of the match.
However, while they managed to breach the Quins defences twice from rolling mauls in the second quarter, they were unable to ground the ball, which made it a closer run thing at the end.
The Quins, too, had a couple of chances go begging, with their pacy threequarter line experiencing some handling problems in the crisp conditions, although they also came up against a tigerish Tenby defence, with Dean Bowen, Jonathan Dodd, Gavin Brace and Gareth Jones putting in some crucial tackles.
It was the pacy Quins backline which drew first blood around 10 minutes in when they cut loose after lock Darren Gibbs secured good lineout ball.
Fast hands moved the ball out wide to wing Lee Davies who crossed on the overlap for an unconverted try.
Dominating the set-scrums in the early stages, the Quins looked to have increased their score when number eight Gareth Price utilised quick channel one ball to send his threes through midfield, but stand-off Adam John lost his grip on the ball just inches from the line.
Realising their weaknesses, the United started playing to their strengths, a grafting performance up front, particularly from back row trio of Mike Evans, Chris Brace and skipper Nicky Allen, allowing them to play a tight forward orientated game which saw them roll possession over the gain line and put the Quins pack under pressure.
Scrum-half Neil Duffy also played his part, closing down counterpart Jamie Morgan to deny the visiting threes any quick ball.
Good driving play gained the homesters a foothold in Quins territory, with Powling reducing the arrears with a penalty.
Powling was unlucky to see a second penalty strike an upright and bounce the wrong way minutes later, while Lee Tucker was equally unlucky not to score after Cammack took a good lineout to set the Seasiders on a long drive to the touchline, the prop being unable to ground the ball going over.
Fellow prop Gareth Noot found himself in similar circumstances when he was driven over from a tap penalty five yards out, but the Quins defence succeeded in turning him going over and he was also unable to ground the ball.
However, it was not a fruitless period of pressure for the Seasiders, Powling banging over another penalty to edge the homesters in front.
Larkman missed with an opportunity to snatch back the lead during a rare Quins foray into Tenby territory in the closing stages of the half when he pulled a penalty wide.
Powling had no misfortune at the other end, however, slotting home a neat place kick from long range to give the United a four-point lead at the break.
Tenby edged further in front after the change around when Chris Brace picked up at the base of a retreating scrum and fed Duffy.
Duffy linked with Sion Brace, who, never being one to miss an opportunity, jinked through in typical fashion before chipping the closing defence.
Brace was on to his own kick in a flash, ghosting over for a try.
The score went unconverted by Powling, but, while he also missed another penalty minutes later, Tenby still looked in commanding form, their enveloping close order play forcing John into kicking for field position.
Such tactics allowed the Tenby threes plenty of width to run at the Quins defence, but the visitors were not found wanting when it came to protecting their line.
Their own backs countered at every opportunity, with one such foray resulting in Brace receiving 10 minutes on the sidelines after referee Kevin Walters took exception to his tackle on Quins centre John Liddiard as he tried to slice through midfield.
The Quins took immediate advantage, spreading the ball wide from the resultant close range tap penalty for wing Jamie Lean to claim an unconverted try in the corner.
Tenby replaced Chris Brace with Justin Richards going into the final quarter, but the Tenby pack still struggled in the scrums, the Quins eight getting under them to drive them back at every opportunity - particularly after Tenby opted to take a man out of the pack to cover the backline during Brace's enforced absence.
Before Brace returned, the Quins had sneaked into the lead thanks to a close range try from lock Gibbs, converted by Larkman, which put them three points in front.
Leading by example as always, Tenby captain Allen carved his way through from open play, gaining Tenby a penalty at the breakdown which Powling popped over to put the teams back on terms.
Smarting from losing the initiative, Tenby threw everything at the Quins in the closing stages, Richards driving on in typically bullish fashion from a lineout.
The United worked second phase back to Bowen who tried to nip through, but he was held up on the visiting five.
Quins flanker Alex Sheeny stole possession at the breakdown, relieving the pressure with a long box kick.
Although Brace collected, his recovery kick fell to centre Liddiard, who jinked his way back into Tenby territory.
The Quins were awarded a penalty at the breakdown, but Larkman pulled what turned out to be the last kick of the game wide of the uprights.
Both teams showed a highly competitive spirit throughout, with a draw perhaps the fairest result on the day.
The result now lifts Tenby off the foot of the table and gives them a one point cushion over the bottom two teams, although Felinfoel have a game in hand.
Tenby have no game scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday), their next league game being away to Resolven on December 29.
Tenby fielded: Sion Brace, Jonathan Dodd, Gareth Jones, Gavin Brace, Neil Powling, Dean Bowen, Neil Duffy, Lee Tucker, Richard Rossiter, Gareth Noot, Matt Cammack, Paul Broaders, Mike Evans, Nicky Allen (capt.), Chris Brace.