Hebburn Town 2 Barnoldswick Town 2

Town squandered a number of chances to win the extra-preliminary round tie against their Northern League opponents on Saturday.

They were without Neil Chapman and Aaron Hollindrake for this important match so Joel Melia who had played well for the reserves the previous week came into the squad.

Both teams made cagey starts before Hebburn went ahead.

Dan Smith was brought down just outside the penalty area.

Billy Carrington lined the wall up but the referee moved it slightly and this gave Steve Graham the chance to stroke the ball into the bottom corner with the defence looking on.

Town started to impose themselves and equalised from the second of two corners forced in quick succession.

Chris Ridehalgh played it to Andy Lee who in turn found Sam Howell who struck an unstoppable shot into the net from a tight angle past Andy Hunter in the Hebburn goal.

Two minutes later Town nearly went ahead as Danny Boyle was played through the centre of the Hebburn defence, but Hunter made a great save at his feet.

Town were in the ascendancy with the Hebburn defence having to work hard to keep them out.

At the other end McCartney had a good chance but he completely missed the ball as it was played across the penalty area.

Another Town corner caused mayhem and Danny Morton’s shot from the edge of the penalty area rebounded to safety off a post.

The pressure resulted in Town taking the lead after 38 minutes. Howell crossed to the far post where Boyle netted with a powerful shot.

On the stroke of half-time James Nettleton went on a mazy run beating three defenders before slipping Boyle through on goal. Hhe drew Hunter towards him but shot wide of the post.

Hebburn came out after the interval looking for the equaliser and it nearly came in the 48th minute.

Nettleton looked like making an easy clearance when he slipped and lost his footing, but Town scrambled the ball clear.

At the other end Town thought they had scored their third goal, Kieron Lee did well down the Hebburn right putting in a great cross into the danger area.

Boyle appeared to come past two Hebburn defenders to score with a great header, but the linesman ruled it out for offside.

Town then replaced Howell, who had picked up an injury, with Harry Thompson after 65 minutes.

Two minutes later and Hebburn were level, Town gave another free-kick away halfway inside their half, Town struggled to clear Paul Robinson’s kick. Carrington, who was on the floor, tried to hack it way but the ball hit Ben Johnson and rebounded into the net.

The goal seemed to spur Town into action. Boyle played Jake McEneaney in down the right but his cross was deflected for a corner.

Kieron Lee then cut across the penalty area before crashing a fierce left-foot shot just over the bar.

Town had a scare when Carrington threw the ball out and it was intercepted by James Henderson whose cross was nearly turned in by McCartney.

Another good Town move saw Thompson slip the ball wide to Ridehalgh who quickly crossed to Boyle but once again Hunter saved the day for Hebburn with his feet.

With four minutes left, Boyle was again denied by a great tackle from Jordan Fraser .

On another day Boyle could have scored three or four goals, but credit has to be given to Hunter in the Hebburn goal for keeping him out.