Nantwich Town held to 1-1 draw by Marine

Nantwich Town were held to a 1-1 draw by Marine at the Weaver Stadium.

The Dabbers, who started the day in third place in Evo-Stik Premier League, took the lead in the 14th minute.

Josh Hancock fed Matt Bell on the edge of the area, and he fired a fine shot in to the corner for 1-0.

Joshua Gordon should have made it 2-0 minutes later, but his effort cannoned back off the post with the Marine keeper well beaten.

Mat Bailey proved a rock at the back for much of the first half as the visitors carved out their own chances.

Hancock, Gordon an Elliot Osbourne all had half chances to increase Nantwich’s lead but to no avail.

And they were made to pay in the last seconds of the first half when Marine levelled.

Carl Peers wriggled away from the defence, and fired in a shot which Kristian Burzyski managed to beat away.

But the rebound fell to Danny Mitchley who converted easily to make it 1-1 at the break.

Both teams pushed for a winner in the second half in an entertaining encounter.

Peers, Mitchley and Holden had attempts for Marine, while Bell, Gordon and Jones went close for Nantwich.

And the hosts have Bailey to thank for saving a point as he cleared off the line in the final seconds from a Marine corner.

Nantwich will be happy with the point after withstanding some pressure from a good Marine team in the second half.

The result leaves Phil Parkinson’s team in third place on 31 points, five points behind joint leaders Blyth Spartans and Darlington 1883.

(all pictures courtesy of Simon J Newbury Photography)