Nantwich Town almost earned all three points late on against Blyth Spartans, but were held to a draw by the FA Cup giant killers, writes Richard Scott.
An 11th minute goal from Matthew Kosylo was cancelled out by a Dan Maguire equaliser before half-time.
It turned out to be the last of the goals – although Sean Cooke had a great chance to score in the dying minutes.
It was a frantic start to the match and Nantwich keeper Terry Smith had to be alert in the opening five minutes as Jarrett Rivers, Maguire and Michael Richardson all had chances.
Steve Jones had the first chance for Nantwich when a Dowling through ball bounced just in front of the former Crewe Alexandra man, but he was unable to get an effort on goal.
Nantwich were ahead on 11 minutes when Cooke played an excellent through ball to Kosylo.
He broke through on goal and hammered past Nicholas Thomson.
A minute later and it could have been 2-0 as Cooke and Kosylo again linked up, before playing in Mark Winslade, who chipped an effort over the bar.
Nantwich still put pressure on Blyth and could have had a repeat of the goal when Cooke fed in Kosylo, but he as tackled well.
Blyth battled back and Smith was on hand when Wearmouth nutmegged Dowling before crossing for Richardson.
The former Newcastle United youth team player got his shot in but Smith palmed away.
Nantwich should have been 2-0 up when Bailey played in Kosylo, whose cross found Cooke.
His shot was side-footed off the line by Jordan Watson.
Ben Harrison had another fine game at the back, and when former Witton Albion man Maguire broke away it was pressure from Harrison which forced the error.
Dowling cracked a left footed effort from 25 yards which bent outwards and skimmed the post.
Smith had to tip a Neal Hooks’ free kick around the post on 39 minutes.
But Blyth were level from the corner, Maguire netting a fine overhead kick to level at 1-1.
In the second half, Andy White had to be alert to clear away a low cross from the visitors.
At the other end, Jones played in Winslade, but Thomson was out smartly to smother the ball.
On 56 minutes, White’s barnstorming run down the left wing saw him break clear but fire his effort straight at the keeper.
Elliot Osborne and Harry Clayton replaced Jones and Winslade on the hour.
Richardson almost made it 2-1 to the visitors as his dipping volley from the edge of the area just dropped over.
Richardson then tried to break through on goal, but Harrison made an inch perfect covering challenge.
With the match heading into the final 15 minutes Kosylo managed to get a shot away from 20 yards, which was saved by Thomson.
With Cooke rushing in for a goal, the Spartans number one managed to dive on the ball to stop the follow up.
Then came Cooke’s big chance.
Kosylo beat a number of defenders to find Cooke on the edge of the box, but the forward drove his shot just wide of the upright.
In the final minute, Kosylo beat a couple of defenders and tried playing in Platt, but the midfielder couldn’t connect.
Nantwich are back in Evo-stik league action on Saturday as they travel to Barwell. Kick-off is at 3pm.
Nantwich Town: Smith, Dowling, White, Bailey, Harrison, M.Jones (C), S.Jones, Platt, Winslade, Cooke and Kosylo. Subs: Clayton (on for Winslade), Blake (on for Cooke, 90+3 minute), Osborne (on for S.Jones), Moyo and Long.
(pics courtesy of Simon J Newbury Photography)
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