It was honours even on Friday night as Hebburn Town and Newton Aycliffe played out an entertaining Desmond at the Hebburn Sports Ground in the Northern Premier League East.
Amid concerns over the pitch on the day of the game, the match was eventually given the go ahead just hours before kick-off.
The first half hour was a scrappy affair, Amar Purewal and Aiden Heywood came closest with the best chances for Hebburn, both just blazing over from 18 yards.
The first goal of the game went to Newton Aycliffe just shortly after. The ball was switched from left to right and Liam Jarvie hit a beauty of a strike, a first-time volley past Kieran Hunter into the top-left corner.
To Hebburn’s frustration, it was a goal that gave the visitors the half-time lead.
Manager Daniel Moore proceeded to make two changes at the break as Leo Robinson and Jack Donaghy were replaced by Liam Murray and Dean Briggs.
Hebburn then found their equaliser in the 50th minute. Olly Martin played a long ball into the box, Purewal flicked the ball onto the back post for Robbie Spence to tap home.
They were not level for long though as just three minutes later, Jack Petitjean headed home to restore the Newtonians’ one-goal advantage.
Multiple chances arose for Hebburn in the next fifteen minutes to get on level terms once again. Purewal’s close range header was saved and Martin was unable to get the right connection on his strike and subsequently fired wide. Heywood also saw his effort deflect just wide of the post.
The Hornet’s second-half pressure finally paid off in injury time as Matthew Elsdon’s 93rd minute strike found the bottom corner via a deflection off the Newton Aycliffe defender.
The final whistle blew and both sides had to settle for a point and it’s a point that the home side will feel they deserved after a spirited second half display.
Hebburn Town stay 5th on 45 points whilst Newton Aycliffe are sat a point below in 6th.

Match Attendance: 382
Hebburn Town FC’s Man of the Match: Robbie Spence