Nuneaton Town will top the Vanarama National League North this Christmas after they came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Chorley at the A1 Gas Force Arena.
Chorley took the lead early in the game – a corner kick from the right hand side found Andy Teague unmarked at the back post and his downward header squirmed under the body of Jordan Smith and over the goal line.
Boro responded positively and they were level just moments later. The ball was delivered high into the box from the left side and Aaron Williams was left unmarked at the far post to head home for his thirteenth goal of the season.
Nuneaton were looking dangerous going forward, but once again found themselves behind in the 32nd minute. Darren Stephenson still had work to do when he picked the ball up inside the box, but he sent a fierce half volley across Smith and into the far corner of the net to make it 2-1.
HT: Boro 1 Chorley 2
Boro started the second half brightly, but it was Chorley who came closest to scoring when Jake Cottrell saw his shot hit the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.
Kevin Wilson bought on Harewood and Tshimanga and soon after the Boro showed why they are ahead of the chasing pack when their persistence and graft resulted in a second equaliser 11 minutes from time.
Reid sent a great delivery into the box which bounced through to Williams who controlled the ball neatly before sending his low strike past the goalkeeper and into the far corner of the net.
Boro showed good team spirit and character to get themselves back into the game and finished the stronger of the two sides.
Results elsewhere also provided good cheer as Nuneaton extended their lead at the top of the division to two points.
NUNEATON TOWN: J.Smith, Clifton, Lane, J.Keane, Reid, Morgan (Tshimanga 65), Chettle (C.Keane 85), Byrne, Whitehouse, Williams, Duffy (Harewood 65).
Subs not used: Maguire, Daniels.
CHORLEY: Ashton, Ross, Cartwright, Teague, Roscoe, Cottrell, Hine (Guy 87), Whitham, Dean (Jarvis 75), Bond, Stephenson.
Subs not used: Charnock, Cosgrove, Lynch.
Attendance: 620
# | Team | Pd | Pts |
1. | Solihull Moors | 27 | 56 |
2. | North Ferriby United | 27 | 52 |
3. | Boston United | 29 | 51 |
4. | AFC Fylde | 26 | 49 |
5. | Harrogate Town | 26 | 49 |
6. | Nuneaton Town | 28 | 47 |
7. | Tamworth | 27 | 39 |
8. | Curzon Ashton | 27 | 38 |