Colls locked horns with 1874 Northwich for a first competitive meeting since 2017 and were left frustrated following a 1-1 home Northern Premier League West stalemate.
The first half was a truthfully uninspired affair, the Collieries maintained the ball for the majority but lacked the quickfire play required to break down a rigid and sturdy Greens defence. They did craft a chance to open the scoring when Kielen Adams found space just inside the box. Unfortunately the in form Yorkshireman could not get any real purchase on the ball.
Against the run of play, 1874 took the lead through Ben Cray, breaking quickly down the right flank and powering past Jack Dallimore on his return between the Colls sticks.
The visitors managed an improved level of possession in the second half, but only turned it into one further opportunity of their own, whilst the Colls likewise continued to struggle creating anything of note.
The equaliser came at the death, with the crowd preparing for full-time. Liam Sheppard headed home the rebound after an ambitious sortie from Ben Rydel cannoned off the bar. Good reflexes from the young forward for his fourth of the campaign.
This belatedly roused the Collieries who finally showed further attacking momentum throughout injury time, but it was ultimately too little too late.
The visitors seemed content with their point despite leading for so long. Colls could construe it as a couple of points dropped, having once again struggled to break down a deep defence, but can take solace in a never-say-die attitude producing a third injury time goal in seven days.
On Tuesday, it’s a trip to Runcorn Linnets for a 7.45pm kick-off, whilst next Saturday, Prescot Cables visit the Dreams2Reality Stadium in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup, 3pm.
