Hednesford Town were left wondering how they didn’t take all three points from their latest home game after being denied a victory by a late equaliser in the fifth minute of added time, thanks to a dubious penalty decision.
It looked as if Shelton Payne’s first half goal for the Pitmen would be enough for Frank Sinclair’s side to gain all three points, only for Liam King to convert from the spot with virtually the last kick of the game.
Although Hednesford started on the front foot, with Payne seeing an effort fly just over the bar, the visitors had the two best chances of the first ten minutes with Curtis Bateson firing just over the bar in the fifth minute before Danny Clarke saw his powerful effort blocked away two minutes later.
After 16 minutes a looping Adam Thomas header for the home side was touched onto the bar and over by goalkeeper Adam Nicklin but a goal-kick was awarded instead of a corner, much the bemusement of the home supporters.
Two minutes later the home side were in front though when Thomas crossed from the right and after Danny Glover had challenged Nicklin, the ball fell kindly to Payne who fired home from 12 yards out.
The visitors continued to look dangerous every time they came forward and Hednesford goalkeeper Dan Crane was forced into a smart low save in the 22nd minute to deny Clarke again.
Seven minutes later Tom Denton couldn’t quite get on the end of a low ball fizzed across the box as Ferriby pushed for an equaliser.
It wasn’t until the hour mark that the next chance arrived when Bateson forced Crane into a comfortable save, while four minutes later Adam Bolder floated a free-kick over the bar for the visitors.
As the Pitmen looked to score a second goal in order to try and make the points safe, Sean Williams saw a long-range effort easily stopped by Nicklin after 71 minutes before a big chance arrived three minutes later.
Williams swung a free-kick into the box and the ball fell to Jack Fitzwater at the back post who wasn’t able to make a sweet connection with it and the chance flew agonisingly wide of the upright.
Payne was in action again in the 82nd minute as another mazy run saw a shot blocked away, before he was replaced soon afterwards.
In the 90th minute Ferriby should really have brought themselves level when Bateson created room inside the box but fired straight at Crane with the whole goal to aim for.
It looked as if the Pitmen would hold on for all three points when the four minutes of added time had been completed only for a late twist.
The ball fell on the edge of the box and a shot was fired at Ben Bailey from a matter of yards. The player instinctively raised his hands to protect his face, but referee Ben Cooke deemed this action to be deliberate handball. Up stepped King to bury the spot-kick and earn a share of the spoils for his side.
Hednesford Town: Crane, Fitzwater, Truelove, Bailey, Digie, Cleet, Thomas (Trainer 79), Thorley, Glover (Obeng 61), Williams, Payne (Ennis 83)
Subs not used: Ransome, Peers
North Ferriby United: Nicklin, Topliss (Kendall 75), Wilde, King, Palmer, Gray, Clarke, Fry (Bolder 52), Denton, Brooksby (Emerton 57), Bateson
Subs not used: Hotte, Middleton
Attendance: 251
Star Man: Kennedy Digie
Entertainment Rating: Four Stars
