Greenalls PSO 1 Billinge 1

AN elusive first win of the season continues to evade Greenalls after they were held to a draw at home to Billinge on Tuesday.

Lee Vaughan was in blistering form on the right and twice fed Mcwilliams, who struggled to get his shot away.

Mcwilliams was not to be denied for long though, as a ball fell fortuitously to him four yards out and he made no mistake for his second goal in as many games.

Billinge reacted quickly and the lively Ablewhite put his point blank header straight at Kiernan, who held superbly.

Vaughan and Rodger, in the wide areas for Greenalls, both had chances to further the lead, Rodger with a side footed effort lobbed over the stranded keeper, only to see it cleared off the line and Vaughan after another blistering run to make space for himself but his shot was tame.

Rodger had a glorious chance to make two on 33 minutes when the ball fell kindly to him six yards out with goal at his mercy, but his shot hit the recovering defender and Billinge survived the pinball that followed, with chances for Mcwilliams and Vaughan.

Billinge came out the brighter in the second period and forced Kiernan into three smart saves. Danger signs began to appear for Greenalls, who seemed to be leaving gaps for the visitors.

The ball began to come back at the men in green much quicker. Greenalls seemed to ride out the storm and began to put the away side under pressure again. Dowsett and Dobson again excellent at the heart of the defence.

It was slightly against the run of play when Billinge got their equaliser. Adam Jones misjudged a high long ball punted into the Greenalls half and this allowed the Billinge forward to run free at goal.

Kiernan made another good stop at point blank range but the ball spun up and just crept into the net.

Greenalls spent the final 14 minutes probing for the winner and chances came and went.

Harrison whipped in a lovely cross from the left, but both Mcwilliams and Vaughan fluffed their lines.

Mark Hughes and Vaughan will feel they should have done better with free headers too.

Greenalls: Chris Kiernan, Adam Jones, Gareth Johns, Paul Dobson, Ste Dowsett, Lee Vaughan, Lee Hughes, Mark Hughes, Ewan Rodger, Ben Mcwilliams, Chris Rogers. Subs: Phil Harrison, Jon Leatherbarrow, Rob Clarke.