The spectators were left as tired as the players after Berkhamsted were held to an extraordinary 5-5 draw by neighbours Leverstock Green on Tuesday night as the weather continues to impact the Spartan South Midlands League schedule.

The derby formbook suggested a draw could be on the cards, but few could have predicted what would unfold after midway through the first half when Green took the lead as Liam McCrohan’s corner was deflected into the net.

The advantage was doubled when Jonathan Lacey slipped the ball past a square Berko defence and Reece Cameron raced clear to beat Carl Tasker.

The home side halved the deficit when Matt Bateman crossed for Alex Campana to tap home his first goal since November, but both teams were to net again before the interval.

The visitors went 3-1 up when a Lacey cross was deflected into his own net by Max Farrelly, but back came the Comrades as Bateman headed home after Josh Chamberlain nodded a cross into his path.

Farrelly scored at the right end with a header from a Campana corner to level affairs, only for Green to retake the lead again when Lacey sped past the home side’s slow defensive line.

Berkhamsted levelled for a second time when Dan Jones fired home a corner after Bateman had been fouled by Shane Wood, before the hosts took the lead for the only time in the contest when substitute Ashley Morrissey fired home after being released by Ashton Campbell.

The drama was far from over though, as Green were reduced to 10 men when substitute David Lawrence was sent off for a stamp on Ollie Cox.

Despite their numerical advantage, the visitors equalised in injury time when the unmarked Chris Marsh beat Tasker to cross to complete a thrilling evening.

The Premier Division’s second-placed side had been involved in another derby draw on Saturday, albeit one less dramatic as their home game with Tring Athletic ended 2-2.

Steve Bateman’s men had to battle back after Mark Riddick and Dave O’Connor had put Tring 2-0 up, but their opponents reduced the arrears through Garry Jones.

Campbell’s 20th goal of the season made the contest all-square 10 minutes after the restart, but despite the remainder of the contest being largely one-way traffic Berko were unable to find a winner.