Morpeth Town were pegged back twice as they settled for a point following a 2-2 draw at home to Basford United in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
The Highwaymen led in the first half through Jack Foalle’s 13th minute header, but Remaye Campbell restored parity for the visitors. Nic Bollado scored Town’s second on 40 minutes but they were once again hauled back as substitute Jonathan Wafula scored a 76th minute equaliser.
Morpeth kept faith with the starting line-up that secured three points at home to Marine on Tuesday night and it looked to be paying dividends when they so nearly broke the deadlock on six minutes through Michael Turner.
The defender wriggled clear of his marker but his header struck the woodwork and bounced to safety.
Basford had started the brighter though and Jack Thomas drilled a shot wide of the target on 11 minutes before a chance seconds later saw Joshua Barnes fire an effort wide of the target, wastefully.
Town would take advantage of that two minutes later through Foalle. After good build up from Andrew Johnson, the winger crossed accurately for Foalle to head in off the underside of the crossbar.
That lead lasted 120 seconds as the visitors replied quickly, Campbell getting on the ball in a congested penalty area to finish a Basford foray forward.
Barnes was denied by Town stopper Dan Lowson before Mason Frizzel volleyed over after the ball fell invitingly for him in the area.
Morpeth, needing to restrict the flow of chances, did just that for the next 15 minutes before taking the lead on 40 minutes through the hard-working Bollado. The forward kept his cool and composure, turning on the edge of the area to fire into the bottom corner and past the wrong-footed Kieran Preston in the opposition goal.
His second goal in three league appearances, Bollado is enjoying his time at Craik Park as he settles quickly into life at the club.
He nearly had another on the stroke of half-time, but his low driven effort from distance thumped the post and deflected clear.
Town, far from their best but still holding a lead, were clearly given a talking to by boss Craig Lynch as they came out reinvigorated and more decisive in possession, symbolised by the impressive Will Jenkins driving forward in the heart of the midfield.
It was from his corner on 53 minutes that Turner nodded over the top prior to Danny Barlow’s forward foray that resulted in a wild shot off target as the hosts sought a decisive goal.
Sam Hodgson dragged a 65th minute effort wide of the far post as he got in behind the visiting defence, but Basford would find an equaliser on 76 minutes as Wafula capitalised on indecision in the Morpeth defence to slot confidently past Lowson.
The closing stages saw neither side able to build up a head of steam as Campbell nodded inches wide for Basford before Jenkins was denied by Preston following a trademark surging run.
Morpeth are next in action when they travel to Matlock Town on Saturday in the league. They return to Craik Park on Boxing Day for a home clash with Whitby Town.
MORPETH TOWN: Lowson, Robson, Reid, Jenkins, Turner, Wombwell, Foalle (Steels 87’), Barlow, Hodgson, Bollado (Noble 87’), Johnson.
SUBS: Henderson, Donaldson, Boyd.
BASFORD TOWN: Preston, Roma, Wilder, Ritzema (Tyson 59’), Frizelle, Fenton, Lewis, Thomas, Campbell, Hallam (Thornhill 10’), Barnes (Wafula 46’).
SUBS: Betts, Dacres.
ATT: 238
