This game had plenty to recommend it. Two competitive sides playing before Ware’s highest league attendance since 1993 and what looked like the highest between these two clubs since the 777 in the FA Cup 3rd qualifying round of 1973. That it appeared significantly more than the 547 declared is, perhaps, for another day but the two stands were packed and there were few spaces available around the rest of the ground.

What the crowd saw was a close battle between two sides both short of their regular goalkeeper. Ware’s Brad Robinson was side-lined by Covid whilst the visitors’ Luke Mewitt continues to nurse a fractured cheek bone.

Their replacements, Ali Dogan for Ware and Hertford’s Lee Axworthy, would probably have preferred their baptism to occur in less high octane circumstances yet they performed well in a seesaw battle that had them both pulling off saves under pressure.

Meanwhile Ware were also missing captain and centre back Louis Rose following his red card in their previous match. As a result Chris Arthur was moved into the middle and James Mulley took over at left back.

There was also a floodlight failure that looked likely to cause the abandonment of the game until sense prevailed. Perhaps the lights knew it was their last game before a scheduled upgrade and wanted to go out with a bang.

Well, they went out alright, or at least some of them did, causing a thirty minute delay to the second half as the referee sought agreement from both sides to a continuance of the game. At least that’s the assumption. Regrettably there was no information from the Ware club as to proceedings, leaving the spectators literally in the dark. This also risked damage to goodwill on a day when there was so much for the club and non-league football to show off to the occasional spectators in the crowd.

But we got a game, albeit delayed, and by the end two points and two goals were shared. Was it a fair outcome? Well Hertford were pleased with their point though doubtless would have liked more.

Ware were less content as results elsewhere caused them to drop a place in the table. They had continued where they left off against North Leigh nine days earlier with Josh Williams and Robbie Buchanan wide and Liam Dulson in the middle of a youthful attack. Taufee Skandari was prompting from behind but, with Hertford defenders snapping at their heels the home side never had much time to put the finishing touches to their forward momentum.

As a result there were half chances aplenty but little result. In the first twenty minutes Buchanan had a shot cleared when Axworthy got his foot to it, Skandari’s cross was headed over by Leigh Rose and Williams fired just wide.

At the other end Hertford were causing as many problems and forced three corners, with Dogan twice having to save low down and once needing his defenders to clear after he failed to cling on to the ball.

By contrast Ware didn’t get their first corner until the 22nd minute although they did enjoy the better of the half after that with Rose once again just over from another header following a Tom Bruno free kick and Axworthy grateful to his defenders for clearing after he spilled a shot.

When the second half at last got under way both sides looked to be intent on making an impression. Ogbonna, whose battle with Marcus Milner was one of the standout features throughout the game, had the first shot after a minute but Ware followed with a Dulson free kick, a shot from Buchanan that needed a good save from Axworthy and a ball across the face of the Hertford goal with no-one to provide the finishing touch.

Hopes that this was a sign of Ware upping their game were put on hold almost immediately when at the other end Kit Brown hit the crossbar. But Ware were not to be denied and ten minutes later they had their reward when neat passing for once had the Hertford defence chasing shadows. Bruno’s free kick on the right was lofted back across the Hertford goal by Rose to the far post where Buchanan played it back again for the oncoming Dulson to head home from almost on the goal line.

In a rousing and hectic final ten minutes during which Ware picked up two yellow cards and Hertford three the visitors got the goal they wanted when the ball was spilled from a free kick. Hertford were quickest to respond and Brandy Makuendi drove in the equaliser to the evident joy of his colleagues and supporters.

Ware might have snatched the three points in the 94th minute when Rose headed inches wide from yet another well placed Bruno free kick but the Blues had to settle for the draw, a loss of two points that dropped them to fifth in the table.

Ware: Ali Dogan, Marcus Milner, James Mulley, Leigh Rose, Chris Arthur, Dave Kendall, Robbie Buchanan (Albert Adu 72mins), Tom Bruno, Liam Dulson, Taufee Skandari, Josh Williams (Liam Hope 45mins). Unused subs: Rechan Esprit, Mayvin Vigneswaran, Michael Bardle.