Atherton Collieries fought back from behind to secure a draw against Gainsborough Trinity, after an impressive performance in Lincolnshire.
Scott Bakkor's header gave the visitors the lead in the first-half, before a brace from Clayton Donaldson either side of the break flipped the scoreline on it's head. Colls fought back and deserved their equaliser through Ethan Kershaw, with only missed chances on the day stopping them from taking three points.
Colls made the trip to the The Northholme expecting a tough contest against an in-form Gainsborough side unbeaten in their last five. Rob Sadler's side set up to frustrate and hit on the break, an approach that paid dividends when Scott Bakkor nodded home Clive Smith's delivery on fifteen minutes.
Gainsborough were handed a way back into the game however, Liam Waldock brought down in the box with the referee pointing to the spot. Experienced striker Clayton Donaldson stepped up and a converted the kick, despite Nico Defreitas-Hansen going the right way in the Colls goal.
The response from Colls was positive, with Marcus Cusani almost notching his side back in front moments later. Ethan Kershaw threaded a delightful through ball into the forward, but his effort was thwarted by Trinity keeper Matt Yates who got down well to deny him.
Gainsborough had another chance of their own before the break, Donaldson going through on goal in search of a second, however a strong save from Nico Defreitas-Hansen ensured the scores remained level at half time.
Colls started the second half sluggishly and were punished after just three minutes when Clayton Donaldson got his head to the ball from Curtis Durose's corner, the ball glancing off the post over and into the back of the net to give the hosts the lead.
Not deflated by falling behind, Colls pushed forward and were desperately unlucky not to score, Scott Bakkor's outside-of-the-foot strike parried into the path of Ethan Kershaw, who's follow-up struck a trailing boot on the goal-line to prevent the stripes levelling.
At the other end, Jack Dyche went within inches of putting the game out of reach at the other end, putting an effort narrowly over for the bar before Kershaw was once again unlucky not to get on the scoresheet, his diving header skewing wide of the target.
The equaliser would eventually come on the hour-mark, Clive Smith once again the architect with a low-driven ball to the back post where Kershaw made no mistake, restoring parity for Colls. It would prove to be the last significant action of the game as Colls sealed a deserved point.
Colls are next in action on Tuesday as they travel to Gorsey Lane for a league clash against Warrington Rylands. Kick off 7.45pm.
Colls: Nico Defreitas-Hansen, Clive Smith, Gaz Peet, Joel Amado, Danny Lafferty, Luca Defreitas-Hansen, Ethan Kershaw, Oli Brown, Scott Bakkor (90' Jay Fitzmartin), Arran Pettifer (71' Aaron Smith), Marcus Cusani - Subs (unused): Adam Rooney, Jesse Ebosele
Man of the Match: Marcus Cusani, sponsored by District Garage Bolton
