North Ferriby United fought back in the second half to draw 1-1 with Chasetown FC.

Chasetown's Mark Branch scores from the penalty spot. Pic: Dave Birt
Chasetown's Mark Branch scores from the penalty spot. Pic: Dave Birt

Mark Branch had given the Scholars the lead early on from the penalty spot but the home side pushed hard throughout the second half and their persistence paid off when Wayne Brooksby found an equaliser.

Ferriby began the evening in attacking mode and Gary Bradshaw’s third minute corner was headed out by Jack Farmer, but in the seventh minute Chasetown were awarded a penalty after Dean Perrow was brought down in the area by Gregg

Anderson and winger Branch sent keeper Adam Nicklin the wrong way to open the scoring.

Branch then scrambled clear a United attack down the left before a floodlight malfunction brought play to a halt on 17 minutes. Around ten minutes later the fault was rectified and play resumed with the hosts finding the net on 22 minutes but the flag was up for offside, while a succession of free kicks failed to find the target.

Chris Bolder went close for United on the half hour but Ryan Price pushed his shot onto the bar and the follow-up was blasted high and wide, while Chasetown’s next chance came when Dean Perrow found space in the centre but the defence closed him down and he skewed his shot wide. Farmer then crossed in from the right but the robust United defence prevented Danny Smith from shooting.

Perrow began the second half by hitting the woodwork as Chasetown looked to build on their lead, while Bradshaw fired across the face of goal on 50 minutes but no-one was on hand to provide the finishing touch for the hosts.

Jordan Archer controls the ball. Pic: Dave Birt
Jordan Archer controls the ball. Pic: Dave Birt

Danny Clarke then forced Price into a save low to his left as Ferriby began to bite back, and on 61 minutes were awarded a penalty after Jimmy Turner fouled Bradshaw but Price guessed correctly and dived to his left to push away Russell Fry’s spot kick – the fourth penalty he has saved against North Ferriby!

Clarke broke free on the left for the hosts but again the impressive Price was equal to his efforts and the next home attack on 67 minutes cannoned off the post.

Ferriby were at full pace but were seemingly fated not to score – until the 71st minute when some fine passing play set up Wayne Brooksby on the edge of the area and his low shot left Price stranded.

United could have taken the lead with five minutes remaining but Bradshaw’s shot clipped the top of the crossbar, and the Scholars survived several nervous moments in the closing stages for a draw.

Chasetown now face a local derby on Saturday (March 17) as they visit Stafford Rangers (3pm).

North Ferriby: Nicklin, Bolder, Larvin, Peat, Anderson, Foot (c), Brooksby, Fry, Clarke, Bradshaw, Hunter. Subs: Williams, Taylor, Denton, Morris (Bolder 87), Wilson (Nicklin 45).
Chasetown: Price, Farmer, M Branch, Raglan, Turner, Lycett, Smith, Bridgewater, Birch, Perrow, Pitt (c). Subs: Downes (Lycett 77), Teesdale, Archer (Perrow 83), Birt.