Barton United picked up a point against title hopefuls Smithswood Firs – but will have been disappointed not to claim all three.

The 3-3 result was a vast improvement from the 6-0 hammering that had been dished out to the Black Swans just before Christmas.

United made several changes from the previous week’s fixture, including a debut for Ed Kelly – the sixth player to don the gloves so far this season – meaning that there was an unfamiliar feel to the team starting at the Mackadown Stadium.

Heavy underfoot conditions and the unfamiliarity of the line up saw the game start at a slow pace with possession swapping frequently in the midfield area. Smithswood certainly took to their task quicker and created several early half chances with shots pouring in from all angles.

The centre half pairing of Swinfield and Uncles were just about able to stop the impressive home strike duo from having too much joy in front of goal and when they couldn’t, the cross bar was there to save them as the Barton goal seemed to lead a charmed life in the early exchanges.

The midfield battle also began to heat up with some heavy challenges flying in from both sides that the referee had to deal with. It only seemed a matter of time before the first card which was shown and in went to the Smithswood captain for a late tackle on Hunt just outside the centre circle.

Barton began to find a foothold in the game with the impressive Dade finding joy down the right hand side against his full back. A major turning point in the game came when Dade was halted on a flying run by the home skipper who collected his second card and headed for an early bath. The decision didn’t go down well with the Smithswood bench who then saw their manager sent to the stands.

The confidence from the visitors was growing and they were rewarded when Dade surged into the box only to be brought down by the goalkeeper who was in turn booked before the penalty was calmly despatched by Sean Wallis for his eighth goal of the season.

But even with 10 men Smithwood still presented a very real danger but failed to break Barton’s resistance before the half-time interval.

The second period saw the hosts come out firing, but it was Barton who struck first as Peter Martin fired home to double his side’s advantage.

The home side got back into the game when a looping cross was nodded home, but the Black Swans restored the two-goal cushion when Wczasek headed the ball home.

Tired legs began to tell as Barton dropped deeper and deeper in a bid to protect what they had. They managed to hold out until the 86th minute when the a goalmouth scramble made it 3-2.

A sucker punch was still in store for the Black Swans as a minute from time a handball from Uncles gave the hosts the chance to level up at 3-3 and grab a dramatic point.

Barton turn to cup action this week in the Fazeley Charity Cup quarter final against CPA FC in Birmingham.