Parkgate 1 Garforth 1

Garforth ended their run of four straight defeats after grinding out a draw at Parkgate.

Both sides traded half-chances in the first 15 mins; Russ Headley having an early shot on the edge of the box saved by Parkgate keeper Ben Hunter, his opposite number Paul Hagreen claiming Ashley Emmett's 20 yard free-kick and then Luke McCrum shooting wide from Luke Kitson's free-kick. Danny Harris came close on 16 mins, forcing a good save from Hagreen after making a run along the edge of the box. Town's number one was called into action again two minutes later, saving at his near post a Ben Thornton drive.

Mark Simpson stepped up for a free kick in a good position on 20 mins, but it was straight into the arms of Hunter. The home side put themselves ahead on 24 mins when a quick break down the right ended in Thornton spotting Hagreen off his line and finding the net with an audacious chip. Graham Nicholas' side duly went in search of a second and will have been disappointed not to get one; Thornton shot wide after a decent foray down the left before an Alex Lil header almost caught out Hagreen who saved at the second attempt in the path of Lebrun Mbeka. In terms of quality it was a poor half from the Miners, allowing Hunter to walk away unscathed from some wobbly moments towards the end of the half. After the ex-Town stopper dropped a right wing cross at his near post, Ryan Donoghue could only shoot across the far upright, and moments later Simpson couldn't capitalise when he failed to deal with a cross from the left. Back down the other end two good chances fell to Kieran Hirst in the last six mins, but neither on target.

Within seconds of the restart Lill shot wide of the far post after Town gave the ball away from kick-off. This finally saw Rob Hunter's team step up a gear and on 52 mins we were level. An excellent delivery by Headley picked out Simpson who volleyed through the legs of Hunter for his 40th Town goal.

It was end to end stuff for the remainder of the contest - Parkgate's Lill had a powerful shot saved on 70 mins, then the two Lukes linked up again two mins later, McCrum heading wide a Kitson free-kick. Hagreen then got down to deny Lil after he'd got between defenders on the edge of the box, then substitute Lee Turner saw a good effort flash agonisingly across the face of goal. Turner then tested Hunter after a good run through the box on 82 mins. Lill will have been disappointed not to retake the lead for his side three minutes later when getting clear on the left and blazing over the bar. Good work from Simpson down the other end sadly wasn't rewarded with a goal when his shot flashed across the far post, and then Parkgate substitute Frank Zalo squandered a glorious chance to score against his old club in injury time when picked out deep in the area but somehow lashing wide.

Town's first point at this venue in three visits, and one which does at least stop the rot setting in beforehand. Something to build on for the coming weeks. The Miners make another visit to South Yorkshire next Saturday when we play Maltby Main (kick-off 3pm).