A superb late free-kick by ex-Pitman Luke Chapman salvaged a deserved draw for Evo-Stik Northern League First Division South outfit Sutton Coldfield Town as Hednesford Town failed to capitalise on their first half dominance at Keys Park.

The home side, marshalled by assistant Chris Brindley while boss Rob Smith enjoyed a deserved holiday, dominated the opening forty-five minutes with left winger Nathan Woolfe unplayable at times.

The former Northwich midfielder had the freedom of the wing and reguarly gave the Sutton defence ‘twisted blood’ with his clever turns and a wand of a left foot.

Early on Woolfe turned Jack Stone with ease and rifled a shot into the side netting before bambozzling Joel Kettle and crossing superbly for the impressive Aaron Rey to head The Pitmen in front on ten minutes.

Jamey Osborne hit a sweet volley from twenty yards which flew inches the wrong side of the post and Rey came close to adding to his tally with a shot straight at Paul Hathaway.

Despite being second best in the first half the away side scored an equaliser out of nothing on thirty-nine minutes when Jamie Sheldon dug out a deep cross from the right and Chapman swept in at the back post.

Sutton looked much more confident in the second period as a raft of substitutions disrupted Hednesford’s rhythm and Dan Crane was called upon twice to make strong low saves by Carlos Thompson.

Substitute Sean O’Connor still looked dangerous for the home side and he scored his teams second goal on seventy-nine minutes with a left foot shot from the right edge of the area.

It looked like The Pitmen would hold on for a victory until Chapman stepped up with a minute remaining and saw his poweful left foot free kick deflect off the wall and level the scores.

Hednesford now go into their two remaining pre-season fixtures as they welcome Vauxhall Motors to Keys Park on Saturday KO 3pm before travelling to Newtown in Wales Saturday week.

Hednesford Town
Crane, Bailey, Campion, Barnes, Francis, Clarke, Melbourne, Osborne, Rey (10), Lennon, Woolfe,

Subs
O’Connor (79), MacPherson, Durrell, Disney, Dunleavy, Allen,

Sutton Coldfield Town
Hathaway, Male, Kettle, Rathbone, Stone, Lund, Sheldon, Richards, Thompson, Garden, Chapman (39, 89),

Subs
Flynn, Hanna, Gibbons, Tooth

Star Man – Nathan Woolfe
Entertainment Rating – 3 stars
Attendance – 161