Full-time: Ossett Albion 1 Spennymoor Town 1

SPENNYMOOR overcame a sickness bug that wiped out nearly half their team to draw 1-1 at Ossett Albion.

Moors manager Jason Ainsley was even suffering from the bug himself during the game as his side, not surprisingly, failed to find anywhere near their top form. Defender Steve Capper and winger Anthony Peacock were both ruled out, while other players started the game under the weather. And to make matters worse for Moors, central defender Joe Tait pulled out of the warm up because of injury.

“We were poor on the day, but maybe that wasn’t surprising,” said Ainsley. “Some players did well to last the game considering how they were feeling.

“Taking the Ossett game into account, then I’m pleased we managed to beat Kendal in midweek. We’ve picked up ten points from our last four games, and we’re in touch with the leading pack.”

Moors had the best chance of the first half hour when Shane Henry grazed the post, but Ossett took the lead on 33 minutes when Paul Johnson’s back pass towards keeper Adam McHugh was intercepted by Connor Bower, who flicked the ball over the keeper.

Moors started the second half better, and levelled on 56 minutes when sub Michael Roberts got into the box and fired into the roof of the net.

The game could have gone either way after that. McHugh made an excellent double save from close range, Connor McDonagh hit the bar for Ossett, and in the dying minutes Gavin Cogdon and Roberts went close.

Team

McHugh, Groves, Mason, Dodds, Griffiths, Johnson, McReady (sub Roberts), Henry, Ward (sub Henderson), Fisher (sub Cogdon), Stephenson. Subs not used: Lynch