It was to be a proverbial game of two halves for Hednesford Town as they let a two goal lead slip, for the second weekend running, to draw with Lancaster City.
The Pitmen started the game very much on the front foot and Reece King in particular caused problems in the hosts’ box, twice seeing headed efforts going close before Kieran Wells saw his looping effort land on top of the net in the ninth minute.
Three minutes later Nathan Fox had to react quickly to deny City’s Charlie Bailey before Wells saw a half volley whistle over the crossbar at the other end.
After continuing to see plenty of the ball Hednesford would finally go ahead in the 27th minute when a long Ben Bailey throw was flicked on by King, with Kieran Wells on hand to apply the final touch into the net.
Lancaster almost drew themselves level immediately though as Brad Carsley found half a yard inside the Pitmen box but his effort flashed wide of the goal.
Hednesford would double their advantage in the 34th minute as again King rose highest at a set piece and his flick on found Dan Sweeney who was able to turn and shoot high into the net.
HT: 0-2
It should really have been game over two minutes into the second half as Sweeney broke away before finding Wells, but the striker miskicked with the goal at his mercy and King’s follow up effort was saved.
This would prove to be crucial as the home side reduced the arrears in the 51st minute when David Norris swept home from 12 yards out after a corner wasn’t cleared at the first attempt.
It was now very much one way traffic with Hednesford goalkeeper Kieran Preston being kept busy with a good save low down before denying Carsley as he broke in behind the Pitmen back line in the 58th minute.
Preston was called into action soon afterwards as he again made another low save to keep the hosts out.
Hednesford had a good chance to restore their two goal lead when they worked it well on the edge of the box and the ball found its way into Danny Racchi but the midfielder fired high and wide when well placed.
Norris almost grabbed his second goal of the game in the 66th minute when he shot first time from 25 yards but it went narrowly wide of the upright.
As the game drew towards the 90-minute mark Lancaster continued to press but the Pitmen saw off two corners and a free kick as the game ticked over into stoppage time.
Just when it looked as if the visitors had seen the game out City won a corner two minutes into stoppage time and Paul Dawson was able to rise highest at the far post to head home and break Hednesford hearts.
Lancaster City: Sims, Henry (White 88), Jarvis (Dawson 57), Wills, Moss, Dugdale, Wilson, Norris, Blinkhorn, Carsley, Bailey (Jordan 78)
Subs not used: Muir, Russell
Hednesford Town: Preston, Vidal, Fox, Harvey, Gatter, Bailey, Racchi, King, Wells, Sweeney (Hallahan 83), O’Hanlon
Subs not used: Veiga, Reid, Curley, Moran
Attendance: 259
