Darlaston Town opened their Midland Football League Premier Division season with a hard-earned draw at Uttoxeter Town, but they were oh so close to all three points, a late own goal giving Uttoxeter the draw.

Darlaston boss Dean Gill gave league debuts to Will O'Sullivan, Ronnie Hendricks, James Rowland and Charles Manners whilst Faride Mikidam, Kalo Harrison and Louis Baker all came off the bench for their league debuts.

The first half was even with chances at a premium, as defences dominated. At the heart of the home defence, man mountains, Thomas Thorley and Robert Thorley were majestic winning virtually every header and making numerous interventions to thwart the attacking threat of Kieran Miller and teenager Charles Manners. Mikey Conlon and Harry Clarke looked dangerous for the home side, but Ben Podmore and Ben Priest impressed at the heart of the visitor’s defence.

Ryan Winwood, Liam Wilkinson and James Rowland prompted and probed for the visitors, but they could not create any clear openings for the visitors’ front line. Conlon and Eric Graves matched their workrate as both teams cancelled each other out.

The second half was more open. Darlaston full back Ronnie Hendricks made several marauding runs down the left flank, but Darlaston simply could not get anyone on the end of his crosses, Thomas Thorley and Joel Dyche sniffing out any danger whilst keeper Charlie Wood tidied up the loose ends with an impressive display.

Miller created two chances for himself inside the penalty area but could not get off a clear shot. Clarke and Reuben Kenny brought comfortable saves from Darlaston's teenage keeper Will O'Sullivan a Birmingham City loanee.

In an effort to affect the outcome of the game Darlaston boss Dean Gill made late substitutions, Louis Baker, Alex Foreshaw, Khalil Harrison and Farid Mikidam adding a different dynamic to Darlaston's goal threat, which had been pretty much blunted but an excellent Uttoxeter Town team.

On 80 minutes it looked as though Gill's changes had paid dividends when three substitutes combined to give the visitors the lead. Baker laid the ball into the path of Mikidam who outmuscled Thorley on the left touchline to cross for Harrison to score at the second attempt, after his header rebounded into his path off the crossbar, for him to score from six yards.

After repelling a brief spell of pressure, Uttoxeter pushed on and were rewarded with an equaliser on 88 minutes, Alex Foreshaw's attempted clearance was misdirected into his own net.

Despite the relative shortage of chances in the opening 88 minutes the final 8 minutes saw both sides create two glorious chances, Thorley unopposed heading over the bar from close range and a Uttoxeter forward failing by inches to convert a cross from a yard out. Keeper Wood denied Darlaston defender Ben Podmore finger tipping his header over the bar whilst a Louis Baker goal bound effort was blocked.

Following the game boss Dean Gill reflected " That was a fair result. I don't think either side did quite enough to win it. I was very impressed with Uttoxeter, they are much improved from last season, and I am sure they will do well this season. We were not allowed the space and time on the ball we can normally create, and that was entirely down to the quality and workrate of Uttoxeter. We worked very hard and played some good stuff at times, overall, though, I am content with a hard earned and deserved point".