Alan Pook is convinced his Worthing side have shown glimpses of why they can finish in the top six.

Rebels are still searching for their first win after three games but produced a storming second-half display on Saturday to claim a 2-2 home draw with Chelmsford.

Shaun Grice converted a penalty on 66 minutes and Sam Francis headed in four minutes from time to wipe out a 2-0 half-time deficit.

Rebels also hit the woodwork three times, were denied by two fabulous saves from Paul Nicholls and had two more penalty shouts turned down in an action-packed second period.

Boss Pook said: "We were all over them in the second half. If we play like that for the rest of the season we will be in the top six.

"We hadn't played at all by half-time but we had six new players in the first-half team. That's too many but I've got no choice because of injuries and suspensions."

The half-time introduction of striker Mark Knee and the powerful Grice in midfield helped swing the balance, with Francis switched to the right wing.

Less helpful was the 28th-minute foot injury for central defender Clay Lamont which immediately preceded Gary Ansell's unopposed header to put Chelmsford 2-0 up.

Loan goalkeeper Mark Ormerod had already made two great saves before Andy Douglas swept home the 23rd-minute opener from Ansell's cross.

Lamont's replacement Chris Dicker set the tone for a rousing second half when his attempted cross hit the bar. Brahim Elouhmani hit the same bit of woodwork with a tremendous 25-yard volley and Knee struck the post when he should have scored.

Grice's spot kick came when Sammy Cooper used his elbow to block an Elouhmani free-kick and Chelmsford were down to ten men a minute later after midfielder Russell Penn received a second yellow card for a foul which sparked a mass confrontation between the players.

Nicholls somehow kept out a Francis header and Phil Ruggles' rasping shot on the turn before Francis headed home the resulting corner.

There was still time for Francis's cross to somehow find a gap between the far post and the oncoming Knee, who Rebels claimed was being pushed by a defender.