Osebi Abadaki punished a defensive lapse to earn Stalybridge Celtic a point at Warrington Town.
Abadaki nipped in ahead of goalkeeper Tony Thompson to intercept Mitch Duggan’s headed back pass, rounded him and then finished in the empty net midway through the second half.
The Yellows had taken a deserved first half lead when Jay Harris fizzed in a first-time shot from the edge of the box after 13 minutes from Isaac Buckley-Ricketts’ lay-off.
After losing striker Connor Woods, recalled by Southport in midweek, the Yellows handed a first start in more than two months to Buckley-Ricketts, who had a couple of half-chances in the first half.
Eddie Clarke’s free-kick and Matty McDonald’s first effort, after a neat one two with Stefan Mols, both forced saves out of Greg Hall.
A change at half-time brought Stalybridge more in to the game, but the hosts still created chances. Duggan had a shot deflected in to the side netting before Harris volleyed over from a corner.
But after Abadaki’s equaliser, Stalybridge frustrated the Yellows and Abadaki could have won it when he fired over from Domaine Rouse’s measured ball forward. Winger Nathan Caine caused problems, and he drew a save out of Thompson.
Bohan Dixon had a late claim for a penalty waved away and both sides had to make do with a point.
Warrington Town: Thompson, Duggan, White, Hannigan, Gumbs, Harris, Mols (Duffy), McDonald (Williams), Buckley-Ricketts, Dixon, Clarke (Buckley). Unused sub: Walker
Stalybridge Celtic: Hall, Miller, Askew (Hanley), Rouse, Waldron, Lingouba (Summers), Abadaki (Bailey-Jones), Yoak, Correia, Dagnall, Caine. Unused subs: Benns, Chakwana.
