Pitmen are not afraid of dark

Hednesford goalkeeper Dan Crane was called into action in the ninth minute as he rushed to deny Tom Greaves.

Ahmed Obeng missed a couple of clear chances for the Pitmen, and it proved costly as FC took the lead when Matthew Wolfenden flicked home a cross into the net from six yards.

It was almost 2-0 straight away but Tyrone Williams made an excellent block inside the box to deny Greaves.

On the half-time whistle, FC United keeper Dave Carnell was called into action again as Ben Bailey's snapshot almost deceived him at the near post.

FC should really have doubled their lead in the 64th minute when they broke down the right and the cross picked out George Thomson, but he skewed his effort wide from 12 yards.

The Pitmen would make them pay as 60 seconds later they were level when Kyle Perry superbly picked out Adam Thomas to head home at the back post. Hednesford were now on top and Thomas was in the action again after 72 minutes when Sean Williams picked him out, but he fired the ball over the bar.

Then, in the space of a minute, first Sean Williams was denied at the United end before Tyrone Williams made a vital interception for the Pitmen in the 77th minute.

With 10 minutes to go the game had another talking point when one floodlight pylon went out. However, both teams agreed to play on.

But when another set failed in the 89th minute, the referee called a halt to proceedings, taking the players off for five minutes until power was restored.

After returning to the field neither side could force a chance on goal in the four minutes of stoppage time, with both settling for a point.

FC United of Manchester: Carnell, Stott, Thurston, Kay, Smyth, Ashworth, Wolfenden (Daniels 84), Sheridan (Lindfield 68), Greaves, Thomson, Winter

Hednesford Town: Crane, T Williams, Regan, Bailey, Digie, Trainer, Obeng, S Williams, Perry (Thorley 70), Ennis, Thomas (Disney 89)

Attendance: 3,421