A goal almost three minutes into stoppage time salvaged a point for Hednesford Town against Coalville Town in Gary Birch’s first game in permanent charge of the Pitmen.
Hednesford started the game brightly and mustered a half chance in just the first minute when Tony Clarke held up the ball before laying it back to David McDermott who saw his shot blocked.
The first half was very much stop start though, including an injury to Pitmen goalkeeper Dan Crane which slowed the pace, and although both sides forced numerous corners they were unable to test either back line.
Nat Watson fired well over the crossbar for Coalville in the 31st minute before the lively Remeao Hutton saw a shot blocked into the side netting via a deflection.
The best chance of the half fell to the home side in the 43rd minute as a corner was nodded down to Kyle Bryant but he fired over the crossbar from six yards.
HT: 0-0
The second period would start off more lively and Hednesford almost took the lead in somewhat strange circumstances as the ball was fired inches wide of the home goal by a Coalville defender in the 52nd minute.
Two minutes later Clarke nodded the ball down to Tom Thorley who moved it to Hutton with the midfielder bringing a good save out of goalkeeper Matt Coton.
Coalville thought they had taken the lead in the 67th minute when Watson fired home following a quick counter-attack but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Just 60 seconds later though Hednesford would be in front as Hutton played in Tony Clarke and the striker was able to chip the ball over Coton and into the net for his first goal for the club.
Within four minutes the home side were level though when they were fortunate to be awarded a penalty as George Cater was deemed to have fouled his man and Watson stepped up to fire home the spot kick from 12 yards.
In the 82nd minute Coalville turned the game on its head as Danny Jenno scored a fantastic free kick from just outside the box to put his side ahead.
This didn’t deflate the Pitmen though and they continued to press in order to find a way back into the game, something they should perhaps have done in the 88th minute as Hutton got to the touchline and his ball in was put over the bar by Clarke from just two yards out.
Just when it looked all over Hednesford drew level in the 93rd minute when Desean Martin hit a dipping half volley from 35 yards which found the back of the net over the stranded Coton to send the Pitmen supporters into raptures.
Coalville Town: Coton, Bryant, Torr, Jenno, Foster, Dean (Lavelle-Moore 61), Brown (Walshe 81), Towers, Watson, Coleman (McMillan 61), McDonald
Subs not used: Freeman, Bowles
Hednesford Town: Crane, Wright, Campion, McNaught (Martin 84), Brenan, Ballinger, Washbourne, Thorley, Clarke, McDermott (Cater 62), Hutton
Subs not used: Ransome, Peace-McDonald, Danquah
Attendance: 162
Star Man: Remeao Hutton
Entertainment Rating: Three Stars
