Injury riddled afternoon ends in draw

For the third successive game Nomads failed to collect all three points from their clash with Porthmadog at the Deeside Stadium. Indeed, Mark McGregor's players were frustrated at their inability to convert chances into goals especially after the visitor's goalkeeper Richard Harvey had been sent off.

Star striker Gary O'Toole returned to the team after missing the Conwy United game through illness while new signing Danny Dobbins, from local rivals Flint Town United, made his Nomads debut at the expense of Alan Hooley. The first half was an even affair with Nomads offering the greater threat in front of goal whilst Porth dominated midfield possession.

Jamie Petrie has proved to be a thorn in the side of many teams this season but his jinking runs down the right flank were well-marshalled by Chris Williams and when Petrie did get a cross in 'keeper Harvey and solid centre-back Ryan Davies dealt comfortably with the threat.

Nomads were dealt a major blow on the half hour when Gary O'Toole twisted an ankle and had to be helped from the field, Rob Jones coming on his place. As half-time approached the visitors won a free-kick on the right edge of Nomads' penalty area. With players of both sides jostling for position, left-back Chris Williams calmly sent the free-kick into the far corner of John Rushton's net, the ball skimming the underside of the crossbar on its way.

On 52 minutes Mark McGregor saw his close range volley cleared off the line and two minutes later Michael Robinson was in the process of taking the ball around Harvey when the 'keeper sent him flying a yard outside the 'box. Needless to say, Harvey received his marching orders but the free-kick came to nothing.

Debutant Dobbins suffered a leg injury and was replaced by Hooley while Rhys Healey came on for Liam Loughlin. Nomads began to turn the screw as Ricky Evans headed against a post and Jack Rowlands was inches away from the rebound but a minute later McGregor snatched the equaliser, chipping the ball over reserve 'keeper Merfyn Williams.

Desperate for the points the home side pushed forward. With time running out Healey twice went close before McGregor set up Petrie whose curling shot beat the 'keeper but struck a post. Then, deep into stoppage time, Rhys Healey chased a bouncing ball and headed over Williams but the goalkeeper just managed to fingertip the ball past his right hand post. There was still time for the Deesiders to launch one last attack which led to Robinson powering a header goalwards only for the effort to be blocked in the goal area and to complete a miserable afternoon Jack Rowlands had to be stretchered off.