Penistone Church striker Andy Ring hit the crossbar in the final minute of their 0-0 draw at Knaresborough
Despite their best efforts, neither Knaresborough Town and Penistone Church could not force a goal at Manse Lane last night.
Although Penistone fans thought they had won it at the death when former Stocksbridge forward Andy Ring’s stunning lob came back off the crossbar.
A Penistone winner would have been harsh on Knaresborough, who gave as much as they got in a equally-matched Toolstation NCEL Division One encounter.
The draw rounds off a successful month for both sides, who are now seen as potential play-offs contenders.
The match began in a ferocious manner with Penistone attacker Danny Barlow having a free kick tipped over the crossbar, while Knaresborough’s George Eustance found the side-netting the other end.
Chances were limited until the second half when the game developed into a exciting contest.
Marco Battaglia nearly fired Penistone ahead with a volley before former Shaw Lane Aquaforce star Barlow saw a shot deflected wide.
Knaresborough looked equally dangerous going forward, but Paul Stansfield’s men never really put Church goalkeeper Adam Rhodes under too much pressure.
Even in the dying seconds, there was still hope of a goal for the neutral as Ring superbly lofted the ball over home goalkeeper Jack Rushworth.
Rushworth was beaten so he was a relieved man when the ball came back off the bar.
The final whistle soon sounded and that will have also been a relief to referee Robert Woodburn, whose last visit to Manse Lane saw him abandon the Winterton match in the 91st minute.
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Lees, Radcliffe, Lineman, Pascal, Gray, Eustance (Parkes 75), Bradley, Walker (Collier 62), Hobson, Whitehead. Subs unused: Wilson, Freeston.
Penistone Church: Rhodes, Jones, Howes, Ellis, Whitehead, Lovell, Richards, Dickinson (Moore 70), Kenworthy (Ring 74), Barlow, Battaglia (Young 85). Subs unused: Lee, Cadzon.
Referee: Robert Woodburn
Ref Rating: 7/10 (did ok, some of the cautions were very harsh)
Attendance: 85
Man of the match: Danny Howes (Penistone Church)
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