JAMES O’CONNOR saw red late on for Harriers as a late penalty for Spennymoor Town saw the two sides play-out a 2-2 draw at Aggborough.

As is their unwanted routine this season, Harriers were forced to make a change to their starting line-up before this one.

James Pearson was the man missing out this time around; he suffered an occurrence of his recent hamstring injury in the previous week’s win over Chester, replaced in the eleven by Tyrone Williams.

The start to the day certainly didn’t go to plan for the hosts – they were behind after just seven minutes as, from distance, David Foley hooked a misplaced clearance from Brandon Hall back over his head from fully 40 yards and into the net to give the visitors the lead.

Harriers were slow to respond, and although they almost levelled when a Sonupe shot was expertly blocked, Town were appealing for a second before the half-hour mark after they felt Tait’s effort had crossed the line beyond Hall, only for Wright’s clearance to be proved vital.

The final quarter-hour of the half were brighter from John Eustace’s men, who did their best to edge forward through McQuilkin and Sonupe, half-time sub Bradley with the first attempt after the restart as his low effort was held.

Horsfall was an unlikely source for an attack 51 in as his curling shot was deflected wide, Sonupe and Taylor then denied with blocks before the break through game, two past the hour. It was great work from full-back Taylor to supply McQuilkin wth the ball who took a touch before driving a finish into the back of the net from 18 yards.

Ironside rattled the Moors woodwork five later off a McQulkin corner, but the chances kept coming and the pressure kept building, Harriers eventually completing the turnaround with eleven minutes left as McQuilkin’s corner was powered in by the head of sub Brown who netted with his first touch.

That looked to be that as Harriers played out most of what remained – but seven minutes being thrown up on the board almost guaranteed drama and so it proved; O’Connor dramatically sent off for two yellow cards for a foul in the area that gave the visitors a penalty.

The home side protested but skipper Joseph Tait stepped up and did the damage from twelve yards, equalising with what was pretty much their first attack of the half.

HARRIERS: Hall, Williams, O’Connor, Horsfall, Taylor, Croasdale, Ngwatala (Ngwatala 78), McQuilkin, Ironside, Wright (Bradley 46), Sonupe (Austin 85).

Subs not used: Finch, Weeks Attendance: 1,406 Referee: Benjamin Speedie