Non-league roundup: Hednesford Town pegged back in Northern Premier League title race six-pointer
Hednesford Town let a lead slip as they drew with Northern Premier League title rivals Hebburn Town.
More than 1,600 supporters packed into a wet Keys Park for the top-of-the-table clash between first and second.
It marked the first game since the end of the Gavin Cowan era, with the Pitmen parting ways with him ahead of the fixture despite suffering just one defeat in their previous 10 matches.
Ahkeem Rose headed Hednesford in front in the 28th minute, meeting Joel Taylor’s wonderful cross, delivered with the outside of his foot.
However, Hebburn emerged with renewed purpose after the break and found an equaliser just eight minutes into the second half through Jack Donaghy.
Hednesford remain second in the standings, level on 58 points with Hebburn but behind on goal difference. Hebburn also have a game in hand on the Pitmen.
Meanwhile, Rushall Olympic secured a vital victory over play-off-chasing Lancaster City to move five points clear of the relegation zone.
Luke Enright made a perfect impact from the bench, threatening the Lancaster goal before breaking the deadlock in the 74th minute.
Ian Long’s side now sit 15th in the table, with three wins from their last six league games.
In the National League North, Kidderminster Harriers extended their unbeaten home run to six matches with a goalless draw against fellow play-off hopefuls Merthyr Town at Aggborough.
Harriers responded to their 5-1 defeat at Macclesfield to remain fourth in the standings, 15 points behind runaway leaders South Shields but firmly in the play-off picture.
In the Southern Central Premier, Halesowen Town’s trip to Stratford Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. The Yeltz sit a point and a place outside the play-off positions.
In the Walsall Senior Cup, Jon Atherton maintained his scoring touch to send Stafford Rangers into the semi-finals - a competition they last won in 2012/13.
