Hucknall Town were held to a draw by a battling Southwell City last night (Wednesday 29 March) at The RM Stadium.

The Yellows knew a win, in what was their penultimate home game of the Uhlsport United Counties Division One season, would move them a step closer to securing a playoff place.

However, they were forced to settle for a draw as a spirited Southwell side fought back from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw that nudged them a step closer to mathematical safety from relegation.

Hucknall began the game on the front foot with Joe Ashurst and Niall Towle both going close to opening the scoring in the opening 20 minutes.

Craig Westcarr was the next player to create an opportunity, turning smartly but shooting straight at the opposing goalkeeper.

Then with it looking increasingly likely that the first half would end goalless the hosts struck seconds before the interval. Towle's cross from the left caused chaos in the Southwell box and was turned home by Aaron Lamb much to the delight of the crowd.

In the second half, Hucknall spurned a few opportunities to double their advantage with Westcarr drawing a couple of decent saves from the Southwell goalkeeper.

The visitors then got their deserved reward for staying in the match with less than ten minutes remaining. Emeraude Kabongo was left unmarked in the six-yard box and headed home from an accurate cross into the centre.

And as the match entered the final couple of minutes it was the visitors in the ascendancy, and they so nearly grabbed all three points only to see a fine shot strike the woodwork and end up in Louis Kinnerley's arms.

The point moves Hucknall up to second but they are under pressure in the playoff race as all five teams immediately behind them have at least two games in hand over them.

Hucknall return to action on Saturday (1 April) when they host Clifton All Whites in their final home league game of the season.