By Jack Danby
Reece Jones scored a header as unbeaten Hanley Town were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Lye Town on Saturday.
Jones’ goal came as an equaliser for Hanley just before half time, when Carl Dickinson’s cross found him unmarked at the back post to head across goal.
This came after the visitors took an early lead on 11 minutes as Jack Pearlman bundled the ball in following a set piece, despite shouts for offside.
Hanley should have gone in front even sooner in the game; Louis Dodds played a dangerous ball across goal, but Jayden Cotterill could not sort his feet out to tap in.
Dodds then had a chance of his own in the 41st minute, his prodded effort forced a smart save out of the Lye goalkeeper.
Hanley continued to create chances in the second half, Jake Avery dragged his shot wide from outside the area in the 67th minute.
Jones was unlucky not to grab the winner in the last minute of normal time; he was laid the ball by Dickinson, but his strike crashed off the bar.
Substitute Aaron Cole was also close to a winner in stoppage time; after doing well to lose his marker from Dodds’ free kick, he skimmed a header agonisingly wide.
Player-manager Dickinson told the Club’s media that despite not getting the result he wanted, he was pleased with the chances his side created.
He said: “After their goal I think we played really well. We got into their box a lot of times and had two massive chances at the end.
“I suppose probably as a neutral, a draw might have been a fair result, but I am disappointed as I thought we deserved to win it.”
Hanley are next in action on Saturday as they host Stourport Swifts at the Payaro Stadium in the Midland Premier Division.