Halesowen Town 1 St Neots Town 1 - Report

It was St Neots who dominated the first half with below-par Halesowen creating only one chance.

Visiting centre forward Gary Wharton almost capitalised on confusion between Matt Baker and his goalkeeper Dan Platt after 7 minutes and Claudio Ofuso went close a minute later.

Charlton cleared off the line in the 10th minute at the end of another move started by Ofuso and a 13th minute corner was somehow cleared after the ball pinged around in a packed home defence.

Dion Sembie-Ferris's low shot in the 18th minute was then kept out by a good save from Platt.

But Halesowen did go close to opening the scoring when Lee Hughes worked free down the left on a 33rd minute break and his shot was sliced against his own cross-bar by Harry O'Malley with Ahmed Ali blazing the rebound high over the bar.

Towards half-time, Wharton's shot was easily collected by home goalkeeper Platt and Platt beat away Sembie-Ferris's shot at the start of the second half.

The Saints deservedly went ahead after 58 minutes when Ofusa's left-wing cross sailed straight into the top corner of Platt's net.

Hughes and substitute Aaron Gilpin beat the visiting offside trap in the 66th minute but the opportunity was wasted as Gilpin could only hit a weak shot at goalkeeper Finlay Iron.

Just a minute later Hughes turned the ball home from Jack Kelly's cross, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

But the response from the Yeltz was generally muted and it was St Neots who continued to have more possession and chances with three corners in quick succession after 70 minutes.

The game seemed to be drifting to a grim home defeat after home striker James Roberts almost found an 80th minute equaliser when his shot from the left struck the angle of bar and post.

But with the clock just about to enter the sixth minute of added time Charlton rose highest at the far post to head home an unlikely equaliser from a corner.

Teams

Halesowen Town: Platt; Bragoli (c) (Goddard 30), Kelly, Ali, Baker, Charlton, Hurst, Rea, Hughes (Ebanks-Blake 72), Roberts, Lawton (Gilpin 64). Subs Not Used: Ezewele, Tonks.

St Neots Town: Iron; Miles, Herd, Knight (c), Wood, Parr, Semble-Ferris, O'Malley, Wharton, Peters, Ofuso. Subs Not Used: O'Laniran, Douglas, Keeble.

Referee: Richie Watkins Attendance: 358