Dronfield Town went four unbeaten in the Northern Counties East League Division One by securing a late equaliser against a physical Hall Road Rangers side.
Captain Stuart Hill’s 85th minute equaliser capped a barnstorming finish to the encounter as Town once again displayed plenty of never-say-die spirit.
Hull-based Hall Road put up a robust and physical display in the first half but it was Dronfield who had the better chances.
Callum Mawbey’s deep left wing cross in the eleventh minute was skilfully brought down by Danny Wood and his subsequent volley brought out an excellent save from Hall Road’s Jody Barford.
Barford pulled off further stops from Wood and Chappell before his own side began to threaten at the other end.
Knaggs forced a save from a sprawling Lewis Naylor out of Andrews right wing corner on 28 minutes and nine minutes later, the visitors took the lead.
James Whittingham’s low left wing cross was scrambled home from close range by Tom Bennett with the Town defence momentarily found wanting.
Dronfield’s attempts at goal finally paid dividends on the stroke of half time as they got back on level terms. Wood’s persistence paid off once again on the right hand side, sliding the ball in to Connor Chappell, who stabbed home inside the six yard box.
Hall Road continued to defy their seventeenth place in the league at the beginning of the second half and regained their lead on 50 minutes. An inch-perfect right wing cross from Dan O’Connor was firmly headed home by Alex Knaggs to put the Humbersiders up by 2-1.
After absorbing a spell of pressure from Rangers, a neat move found Danny Wood on the right; his 18 yard effort forcing Barford into yet another save.
Dronfield shuffled their formation, sending Callum Mawbey into a more advanced position and this had the desired effect of switching the momentum in their favour.
Hall Road had an effort from Medcalf ruled out for offside on 72 minutes but the introduction of new signing Tawanda Rupere shortly after signalled a grandstand finish to the game for Dronfield.
Laurie Wilson’s shot from the edge of the area skimmed the crossbar on 81 minutes as Town pushed forward in numbers and four minutes later they got their reward.
Connor Chappell’s shot was charged down by Barford but skipper Stuart Hill was on hand to tuck home from close range and secure a deserved share of the spoils for Dronfield.
Town now move on to a Tuesday evening Derbyshire Cup encounter with South Normanton Athletic followed by a league away day at Swallownest on National Non League Day next Saturday.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Pugh, Bebbington, Bovill, Hill, Mawbey, Chappell, Wilson, Fereday, Wood, Ord.
Hall Road Rangers: Barford, Naud, Whittingham, Murray, Harrison, Knaggs, Bennett, Andrews, Medcalf, Harman, O’Connor.
Attendance: 82
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