Barton Rovers made the perfect start to the game after the most unlikely of events.
With no more than 2 minutes of play Dave Tilbury went down injured after what seemed an innocuous challenge.
After another five minute delay he was eventually substituted and an ambulance called. It was then his replacement who broke the deadlock.
After Adam Cain failed to clear the lines a cross into the box was headed to Russell Preston, who guided a header passed a helpless Steve Jackson in the Willenhall goal.
Willenhall replied six minutes later. A Mark Briggs corner from the right was headed home by Tyronne Barnett.
Willenhall started to take control of things and a perfect Ben Jevons through ball found Barnett, but he watched as his shot went just wide.
Willenhall made their possession count on 31 minutes. After Mark Briggs had ran unchallenged with the ball he picked out a pass to Barnett.
He then proceeded to ride several challenges and stay on his feet before managing to loft the ball over Graham to make it 2-1.
New signing John Williams, once named the fastest postman in Britain nearly turned provider for Barnett’s hat-trick as his cross found the frontman in space.
But he missed his header from six yards. Barton equalised seven minutes into the second half.
As Willenhall again failed to properly clear their lines a deep cross from Charlie Mapes found towering centre back Chris Wild, who made no mistake from inside the 6 yard area.
Willenhall serched for a winning goal and nearly found it.
After Barnett’s excellent run down the left his cross needed a last ditch clearing tackle from several Barton defenders, as Williams was waiting to deliver a goal.
Then it was the turn of Barton to search for a third.
Top scorer Dean Brennan unleashed a venomus 30 yard half volley that would have left Jackson with no chance, but it sailed by.
Willenhall: Jackson, Cain, Wheeler, Brown, Newell, Harvey, Palmer, Briggs, Barnett, Williams, Jevons (Milligan)
Barton: Graham, Young (Buchanan), Cashman (Courtnage), Wild, Buss, Tilbury (Preston), Perpetuini, Mapes, Lafayette, Brennan, Maynard
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