A goal two minutes from time by Hednesford Town’s Nathan Fox saw the Pitmen earn a point in their final league game of the season at Witton Albion.
It was obvious from the start that the torrential weather conditions would play their part in the game as in just the third minute a ball into the box caught a gust of wind and Pitmen goalkeeper Jacob Weaver was just able to turn it behind.
Six minutes later the hosts would open the scoring though when a looping cross by Anthony Gardener from the left deceived everyone and found the back of the net.
The closest the Pitmen would come in the opening exchanges would be when Fox played in a low ball that was turned towards his own goal by Luke Offord – only to be saved on the line.
Hednesford would come more into the game as the half wore on and Brad Wells had a great chance to level in the 33rd minute but he could only chest the ball into the side netting at the far post.
Ten minutes later the ball fell nicely to Fox and from the edge of the box he fired in a rasping effort that was turned over the crossbar for a corner.
The hosts should really have doubled their lead right on the stroke of halftime when after some nice football the ball found its way to Will Jones but he shot wide from 12 yards with the goal gaping.
HT:1-0
In the second half Hednesford had the wind with them and a lovely through ball from Ben Bailey to Brad Wells in the 57th minute saw the striker clear on the right but he could only find the side netting with his low effort.
Although Hednesford were controlling possession it was the hosts who almost struck next when in the 68th minute goalkeeper Weaver spilled the ball but Rob Hopley lifted his effort over the crossbar from 12 yards out.
Five minutes later they would go even closer when a corner was whipped into the box and a headed effort out of a crowd of bodies was cleared off the line by the Pitmen’s Ben O’Hanlon.
Although Hednesford continued to probe they were unable to take advantage of any of the set pieces that they were provided with.
Just when it looked as if the Pitmen would end the season on a fruitless note the ball was played wide to Matt Curley who delivered an inch perfect cross to Nathan Fox who rose highest to head home.
Hednesford will now hope for a strong summer off the field as they prepare for life at this level for the fourth consecutive season.
Witton Albion: Hall, Gardener, McKenna, Wardle, Offord, Smart, Doyle, Owens, Hopley, Jones, Foley
Subs Not used: Lingouba, Abadaki, Neild, Devine
Hednesford Town: Weaver, Vidal, O’Hanlon (Lycett 85), Harvey, Gatter, Bailey, B Wells (Wright 67), King, K Wells, Hallahan (Curley 75), Fox
Subs not used: Veiga, Turner
Attendance: 362
