Clee started the day in third place in the table and were looking to end a run of five Evostik games without a win. The Steelman were hoping to leapfrog the visitors as they sat just two points behind.

It was a chilly afternoon at Steel Park and the Clee team saw one change from the Hednesford replay. Liam Davis came into the midfield with defender Oli Donald dropping out. This meant a re-shaping of the defence with Adam Drury playing at right-back and Tim Lowe partnering Matt Bloomer in the centre. Peter Winn occupied his usual role at left-back.

The Owls nearly broke the deadlock in the 7th minute when Davis picked up the ball in midfield and fed the speedy Drury on the overlap. His low cross was met by Jack Richardson. The midfielder shot first time and his powerful effort grazed the top of the bar.

Clee had the ball in the net in their next attack but the joy was short lived as the assistant had spotted that Danny North was offside. This was the first of many times during the afternoon that the Owls were stopped in their tracks by the linesman’s flag. It was noticeable that Corby played with a very high line throughout the 90 minutes.

The home team almost took the lead on 12 minutes after Lowe was penalised. The resulting Steven Leslie free-kick from 30 yards squirmed under Richard Walton’s body. However, he had just done enough to turn the ball behind. Paul Malone headed harmlessly over from the corner.

After a promising opening, the visitors were now under pressure with Jordan Crawford on the left for the hosts looking particularly dangerous. However, Matt Bloomer was superb for Clee at the heart of the defence. He was dominant in the air and reading the game very well. Indeed, the whole back line was coping manfully with Corby’s attacking play.

In the 25th minute, there was more danger for the Owls as Visan-Vasile Cretu cut in from the right before holding off Winn and shooting narrowly wide. After this, Bloomer was on hand again to cut out another cross and Malone headed on goal but Walton made a comfortable save.

As the game moved beyond the half-hour, Clee enjoyed a good period of possession. A Drury cross caused alarm and a shot from Jon Oglesby was blocked by the massed ranks of the home defence. This spell ended when a Davis run from midfield was stopped close to the edge of the box.

The Steelmen responded with another attack, which was cleared for a corner by Drury. The same defender was called upon again with an important saving tackle as Dino Tuskar broke through with the Clee defence appealing for offside.

The Owls found the vital opening goal a minute before the break. A long ball forward was latched onto by North, who had space on the right in the penalty area. He shot low under the body of home stopper Sam Wilson from a narrow angle to give the visitors the lead at half-time. The Clee striker had now found the net for the fourth game in a row.

HT Corby Town 0 Cleethorpes Town 1 (North 44)

Clee started the second period well. Firstly, Winn tried to set-up Oglesby but a defender cleared. Then there was good play between North and Mascall before the former’s cross was deflected away.

However, it was Corby who scored the second goal of the game in the 55th minute. Malone released Tuskar on the left wing and his low cross was met at the near post by Sam Mulready, who finished well for the equaliser.

It was no more than the home team deserved and for the next 15 minutes they threatened to put the game out of Clee’s reach.

Cretu missed a great chance to put Corby ahead on 58 minutes. He found a lot of space in the area but he shot tamely off-target. Then Lowe headed away a dangerous cross as the Owls needed to deal with three quick corners. This was followed by a penalty appeal after a ball in from the left but the referee waved it away.

The Steelmen continued to make most of the running and an effort from substitute Jordan O’Brien flew over Walton’s goal.

After weathering the storm, Clee made their own change in the 72nd minute. Oglesby was withdrawn with Loz McKay coming on. He slotted in at left-back with Winn moving to the centre to partner Bloomer. Lowe moved to his familiar role at right-back, which allowed Drury to adopt a more attacking position.

The last quarter of an hour was much more even as both teams had chances to claim the points. Clee had a let-off when a shot hit the base of Walton’s post but the Owls responded through good play by Drury, who almost found Mascall’s run.

There was great play by goalscorer North, who appeared to be going nowhere near the left corner flag. However, a clever bit of skill meant he beat two defenders and moved into the area. His cross flashed across the goal without anyone being able to provide the finishing touch.

Drury had a fierce shot blocked and a Liam Dickens effort was deflected over as Clee went in search of the decisive goal. Finally, there was a penalty appeal when North appeared to be bundled over near the line. However, the referee did not see the defender’s clumsiness as a foul.

As the game reached its climax, Luke Aldrich replaced Davis and the final chance of the afternoon fell to Corby. A cross from Phil Trainer was headed onto the roof of the net by Mulready, much to the relief of the travelling support.

After 2 further minutes of added time, the referee’s whistle brought a competitive affair to a close with honours even.

FT Corby Town 1 (Mulready 55) Cleethorpes Town 1 (North 44) Attendance: 471

An important and well-earned away point against decent opposition. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the team looked a little jaded after their exertions over two bruising games against Hednesford. The result leaves the Owls well positioned in the play-off places with games in hand against most of the clubs around them.

No midweek game which will give everyone a much needed rest after a busy spell.

Next Saturday (25th – 3pm) at Bradley, we welcome Spennymoor Town in the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy. The winners will progress to the last 64 of the competition, when the 24 National League sides join the action.

It is sure to be a massive test against opposition two leagues higher. However, the Owl army will be out in force in search of another upset. The visitors look likely to bring a sizable following and all support will, as usual, be welcomed. It is pay on the gate - admission is £7 for adults and £3 for children/concessions.

Keep your eyes on Clee’s twitter feed (@CleeTownFC) for all the build up to the big match.

UP THE OWLS!