Nuneaton 1-1 Hitchin Town: Canaries soar to land point at high-flying Borough: Report by Pipeman. Photographs by Peter Else

This was ultimately a point gained against a team placed third in the league and unbeaten at home. Hitchin had held their unexpected lead for seventy-three minutes after a remarkable goal scored right at the end of the first half by Finley Wilkinson.

On a cold and drizzly night, Hitchin again put on a diligent performance, especially in the first half where the hosts appeared to be rather tepid, but with occasional moments of inspiration. Kane Richards completed a central move with the first home shot, which was on target but meek. Finley Wilkinson had the same idea for a shot but he ran into traffic, and his next attempt was well wide. This followed good work from Rio Dasilva who's cross had won a corner. Jack Snelus was on target and Tony Breeden made a routine save.

It had been expected that the hosts would press at every opportunity since a win would take them into second place, but their tendency of ponderous forward play often saw a vital pass go astray. Richards, after a piece impressive play, eluded tackles to gain the optimum position for a shot, sent it high over the bar. Dasilva had done the same for Hitchin. Gleeson had an attempt blocked and Breeden held Snelus' next attempt.

In a brief flurry the hosts had a further chance, but Dowd's shot failed to emulate the artistry beforehand. The best chance of a goal came from Luke Benbow, who, if he lacked pace had an eye for the good position. His shot on the turn was a beauty and it rattled the crossbar. Had that gone in we may well have had a different game.

It seemed that this fairly innocuous half would conclude goal-less, but Hitchin, in a late attack snatched the lead from a low shot from Wilkinson that gave Breeden little chance. It was not undeserved given the way that Hitchin had applied themselves positively, defending well and getting forward when they could. There had been good moments from Steve Cawley and Rio Dasilva and some astute defending from Ciaren Jones.

Nuneaton supporters sitting near me took the view that Hitchin had deserved the lead, and that their team had been below par. After the match one Hitchin player told me that the Nuneaton manager had given his team an early fireworks display, and his criticism could be heard through the walls.

I am not surprised at his discontent since the home display had only been memorable for Benbow's illustrious shot and Richards insistence.

A neutral would find it hard to distinguish between the teams and to name the one potentially heading into second place. We all expected the second half to take on a different texture and so it did. I tend to agree with one of the assistant referees who thought that Hitchin had become more defensively minded. It was not, however, through choice as the hosts were mindful of the indignity of losing at home to a team placed well below them.

Yet I recalled last season here when the Borough had a two-goal lead and threatened more until Jacob Wilkinson pulled one back and Hitchin were unlucky not to snatch a draw. But in this second period, Borough forsook a good deal of their seemingly elegant preparatory play and were more direct.

This had variable conclusions. But before they imposed themselves with greater authority, there was a fine chance for Hitchin when Dasilva had (and kept) possession on the left. He evaded a challenge and sent in a decent cross to Stan Georgiou who was unable to connect. How we would all love to see our Stanley score – especially the winner.

After this Hitchin were forced back and enjoyed some good fortune when a cross from Nuneaton whipped across the face of goal and was only partially cleared. The stop / start nature of this half kept the referee busy and the number of cautions ended at six, with four for Hitchin. It made for an unsavoury lady period of the game that had been thankful free of anything malicious in the first half.

Benbow and Dowd continued to look dangerous and Richards seemed determined to get his name on the score sheet. Just when Hitchin could have benefited from wresting more possession so it seemed they were heedless of forsaking it. In a rare foray forward Dasilva again sent in a searching cross that needed precise defending. Snelus tried one from range but it was routine for Breeden who lofted the ball forward at every opportunity.

Magunda's high cross was speculative and defended as was the next incisive move from Borough and it was sensed that they were edging closer to the equaliser. A 'patent' Hitchin corner was aimed at Cawley who had no time to exploit the move. It was ironic that it was through Cawley losing possession in a forward move that led to an immediate counter from Borough and this time they scored with Dowd converting smartly after seventy-three minutes.

It turned out to be a bit of a face saver for the hosts who despite increased efforts could not play through the stubborn Hitchin defence. Osbourne shot wastefully wide following a corner, which was just as well as in the last quarter of an hour Hitchin looked unlikely to score again or even get the chance of a set piece in a dangerous position. They were obviously content with a point that was one more than some expected.

It was not easy as the hosts pressed and won late free kicks and a corner where such pressure might have invited error, but Hitchin were equal to it and thoroughly deserved the point. It was probably a fair result, given that the hosts were obviously not at their best and Hitchin continued their encouraging performances away from home.

On Saturday they enter the unknown, so to speak, when they travel to Ilkeston, a club they have never met and we all look forward to seeing a new ground and hope once again for another good performance away from home.

I am happy to report that the journey home was free of such traffic troubles that beset us last week when homeward bound from Stratford Town.

NUNEATON BOROUGH

Tony Breeden, Christopher Cox, Kane Richards, Joseph Magunda, Isaiah Osbourne, captain, Aaron Forde, (Ryan Beswick), Lathaniel Rowe- Turner, Charlie Dowd, GOAL, 73 minutes, Matthew Stenson, cautioned, Luke Benbow, cautioned, ( Revarnelle James), Prince Mancinelli, (Cain Noble).

Substitutes not used- Liam Castle and Scott McManus.

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie Horlock, captain, cautioned, Stanley Georgiou, Toby Syme, Stephen Gleeson, cautioned, Lewis Barker, Ciaren Jones, cautioned, Finley Wilkinson, GOAL 45 minutes, cautioned, Rio Dasilva, Ashley Hay, Stephen Cawley, (Bradley Bell), Jack Snelus, ( Kye Tearle). Substitutes not used- Malaki Black, Johnny Allotey, Leon Chambers- Parillon.

Referee Mr Matthew Perry, assisted by Mr Ryan Price and Mr Harry James.

Attendance 304

REPORT BY PIPEMAN