Hednesford Town played out an entertaining 1-1 draw against play-off chasing Stourbridge to earn a point from a game that saw a fantastic rear-guard action from the Pitmen back line.
It was the visitors who started the game very much on the front foot and they almost took the lead in the fourth minute when Leon Broadhurst saw an effort from 25 yards deflected just past the post.
Kayleden Brown then had two chances in quick succession but neither were good enough to deceive Hednesford goalkeeper Dan Crane, who again saved the Pitmen in the 15th minute.
Hednesford had their first effort on goal four minutes later from Jordan Nadat before a good free-kick from Darren Campion almost found its way through in the 37th minute.
HT: 0-0
Six minutes into the second half the away side thought they had the lead only for Brad Birch to fire a shot into the side netting.
Hednesford then had two huge let-offs as first Luke Benbow hit the crossbar in the 64th minute before another former Keys Park man in Dan Preston hit the post three minutes later.
It was the Pitmen that took the lead though, when in the 69th minute a lovely cross in by Remeao Hutton was flicked on by Nadat with Danny Glover able to turn the ball home from three yards out.
Three minutes later Crane kept his side in front as he somehow cleared Ethan Jones’ effort off the line.
Although Stourbridge continued to apply the pressure Hednesford almost added a second in the 82nd minute as Nadat saw a shot well saved.
This would prove crucial as Stourbridge equalised two minutes later when Benbow fired home a wonderful free-kick to bring his side level.
Hednesford were indebted to Crane for keeping hold of a point as he made two more saves late on before George Cater saw an effort stopped on the line for the Pitmen.
Gary Birch’s side were rightly applauded off the field of play following the final whistle after a battling performance at the start of a hectic run of home fixtures for Town.
Hednesford Town: Crane, Wright (Cater 83), Campion, Thompson, Peace-McDonald, Ballinger, Hurren, Thorley, Glover, Nadat, Hutton
Subs not used: Ransome, Martin, Brenan, Webb
Stourbridge: Gould, Sho-Silva, Westlake, Tonks, Preston (Westwood 72), Pierpoint, Brown (Jones 63), Broadhurst, Benbow, Archer, Birch (Cooke 72)
Subs not used: Green, Digie
Attendance: 486
