Barwell 1 Whitby Town 1

Report by Merv Nash

Luke Barlone's equaliser from the penalty spot gave Barwell a valuable point against Whitby Town who will rue numerous missed chances in the second half and surely must have thought they were returning home with the spoils as Barwell had to work hard for whatever they were going to get.

The first half was mainly a battle in midfield, Barwell's Danny Quinn saw a goalbound drive deflected for a corner early on, but Whitby should have been in front before half-time, a cross by Steven Snaith fell to Graeme Armstrong in front of goal but he could only shoot straight at Liam Castle in the Barwell goal.

Barwell replied through Barlone and his cross was almost turned into his own net by Whitby full back Ibrahim Hassan, the ball finishing on the roof of the net. Castle saved Barwell again just after half-time making another brave block to deny Armstrong again as the Barwell defence was opened repeatedly.

It was no surprise when Whitby opened the scoring on 58 minutes as a fierce near post cross by Lee Mason was turned in by the ever dangerous Snaith.

Barwell were reduced to the odd breakaway as Whitby dominated the midfield fighting for every loose ball.

With ten minutes left however, Barwell got out of jail with an equaliser. Connor Gudger went on a brilliant run nutmegged Hassan and found Scott Hadland who was upended in the area by David McTiernan.

Barlone smashed home the spot kick although Whitby keeper Shane Bland got a hand to it but could not keep it out of the net.

In the final minutes Barwell almost conceded when twice the ball was cleared off the line, but to Whitby's dismay a draw was how it finished.

Liam Castle, Scott Lower, Connor Gudger, Danny Spencer, Jamie Hood, Jack Edwards, Nigel Julien (Kieron Brehon 72), Scott Hadland, Luke Barlone, Anthony Griffith-Junior (Richard Lavery 72), Danny Quinn (Luke Richards 65)

Subs not used: Guy Hadland, James Wren

Goal: Barlone (Pen) 80 (assist S Hadland)

Yellow Cards: Edwards 82

Attendance: 203

MIRA Man of the Match: Jamie Hood