After the game Blues’ boss Lee Casswell said, “That was another good performance – we knew we would be without the ball for much of the game but when we did get it we showed we could retain possession against a League One outfit.

“We were a little short-handed with six players missing today but I was pleased with the performances of Ash Jackson, Rhys Thompson, Andy Kinsey and Matt Bell in arguably the best pre-season friendly since I’ve been at the club”, he added.

Casswell sprung a surprise when he named former Kidsgrove Athletic striker Liam Shotton on the bench.

And the tall front runner celebrated his return from playing in Singapore with the equaliser just two minutes after coming on early in the second half.

The Blues boss revealed this week that he had been following Shotton’s progress and had been chasing his signature for around five or six weeks – the player will train with the Blues this week and Casswell is hopeful he will join the club.

Another former Grove player in winger Cohen Bramhall also started the game.

Looking ahead, Leek Town officials have announced that their home friendly against Macclesfield on Saturday will be played in memory of former supporter Chris Parr.

Chris was the son of former Blues’ physio Martin Parr and his wife Diane; he died at his home in Leek from Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS) in 2010.

The 21-year old was an avid sportsman who loved football, rugby and cricket and generally enjoyed life to the full.