Basford United drew 1-1 with playoff hopefuls Warrington Rylands at Greenwich Avenue as an impressive second half performance was enough to earn the Ambers an important point.

Jake Burton had the visitors ahead in first half stoppage time, before a header from Jamie Williamson levelled the score early after the restart, and despite plenty of pressure on the visitors’ box, it wasn’t enough to grab the maximum total.

The Ambers came out of the traps flying and almost got an early reward, with Taylor Anderson forcing a sharp stop from Luke Pilling only a minute into the game. The Blues responded strongly however and soon saw themselves with a chance to open the score as the ball was played to Burton at close range, but a superb stop from Saul Deeney ensured the score stayed level.

There was a lack of any real chances as the first half continued, with neither keeper having much to do despite a lot of end-to-end action. Pace started to slow down and eventually made even slower as a delay in play saw Brad Gascoigne leave the pitch through an injury. Both sides tried to be creative and showed moments of intensity, but it wasn’t enough for either defence to falter.

Just as it looked like the half would end goalless, an almost identical chance to the one missed earlier in the game as the ball was played across goal to Burton, and this time he made no mistake with his finish to put the visitors in front in the third minute of injury time.

It was better from the Ambers as they came out after the interval, with Josh Barnes striking an effort from range that was only denied by an important block from Harrison Hopper. As Basford kept pushing they were awarded a corner, and Josh Barnes’ wicked delivery fell perfectly to the head of Williamson who’s powerful header gave Pilling no chance, and the Ambers were deservedly level in the 53rd minute after the defender’s first goal in a yellow shirt.

Danger increased for the Blues defence as Basford continued to pose the bigger threat. Another chance fell to Barnes via a free kick in a dangerous spot and his deflected effort flew narrowly over the top corner, before Williamson almost got a second goal from a corner but his thundering header was tipped over the bar by Pilling.

After a long period of play without a chance opening up for either team, another cross gave the Blues’ box plenty to think about as Theo Hudson met the ball delivered by Anderson with a header looking destined for the bottom corner, but a magnificent save from Pilling kept it out to the disbelief of Greenwich Avenue.

Despite remaining the team on top until the final whistle, the Ambers couldn’t find that late winner and took a valuable point.

ATT: 369

STARTING XI: Saul Deeney, Jamie Williamson, Ethan Stewart, Matt Thornhill ©, Brad Gascoigne (Henri Wilder, 38’) Josh Barnes, Taylor Anderson, Alfie King (Jordan Hallam, 77’) , Theo Hudson (Saikou Brown, 87’), Joe Uvegas (Dameer Rose, 46’), Rev James

SUBS (not used): Diamond Atai