A stunning equaliser deep into injury time denied Darlaston all three points in an absolutely thrilling encounter at Lichfield's Trade Tyre Community Stadium. Both sides, a credit to their clubs and managers.

Darlaston boss Dean Gill made four changes to the side that drew with Uttoxeter Town in the opening game of the season, giving three players their full competitive debuts. Skipper Alex Foreshaw returned to the starting lineup, with full debuts for Khalil Harrison at full back, as well as teenager Farid Mikidam and Louis Baker making the young strike partnership, teaming up together for the first time. Kieron Miller, Ben Priest, Josh Jones, and Charlie Manners reverting to the bench.

The visitors made a bright start forcing an early corner which came to nothing. Within four minutes they were ahead, Mikidam's first time effort was blocked, but midfielder Liam Wilkinson was on hand to strike home the rebound. Minutes later Darlaston should have doubled their advantage as Mikidam broke clear, but his 12-yard shot was saved by the legs of advancing keeper James Beeson.

Darlaston were having the better of the exchanges until a 19th minute equaliser knocked the stuffing out of them temporarily. A Jack Edwads free kick deep into the box eluded keeper O'Sullivan, Dan Smith heading home unopposed from three yards.

Ben Podmore was magnificent at the heart of the Darlaston defence, whilst Lichfield centre back Jamie Elkes was equally as impressive. The workrate of the visitor’s midfield quartet, James Rowland, Ryan Winwood, Liam Wilkinson, and Lewis Gill was exceptional as the two sides battled to regain supremacy. Former Chasetown midfielder Jono Gould and Jack Edwards prompted and probed for the home side, but chances were few and far between.

The second half similarly proved to be a tight and tense affair. Lichfield forced a couple of corners which came to nothing, whilst a goal bound Haines header was cleared by Harrison. For the visitors Baker and Mikidam continued to create havoc at the heart of the City defence, whilst two free kicks from Rowlands were cleared by the home defence.

Minutes after coming on, second half substitute Kieran Miller's superb piece of skill on the right touchline, saw him sprint clear of Burnside and cross for Farid Mikidam to net his first senior goal, giving the visitors the lead for the second time in the game.

Minutes later the game was interrupted by a floodlight failure, delaying the game for some 20 minutes.

Miller had two good chances to double the lead, but keeper Beeson again came to the rescue, once saving with his legs and then making a fine save clawing away Miller's 18-yard drive. Mikidam and Baker both had half chances to increase the lead, but some excellent defending denied them both.

As Lichfield pushed forward, desperately in search of the equaliser, substitutes Dunn and Clemente both had chances, Dunn heading over the bar and Clemente's effort cleared by Podmore.

As the clock was ticking down, deep into injury time, Lichfield's late period of pressure paid off in dramatic style with the equaliser, breaking Darlaston's hearts. Darlaston failed twice to clear a deep cross into the box, the ball eventually falling to Joe Haines 25 yards out, the full back unleashing a stunning first-time drive high into the top left-hand corner, beyond keeper O'Sullivan's despairing dive high to his left.

Darlaston boss Dean Gill could not hide his disappointment after the game. " I am devastated that we have conceded late goals in our opening two games, which has meant that we have two points instead of a possible six. We were excellent tonight and at times the quality of football was exceptional. Both sets of players worked their socks off.

I was pleased that the three debutants acclimatised to our style of play and the pace of the game very well. Unfortunately, the late equaliser was a real sickener, we had two opportunities to get the ball to safety and failed, that is hard to take so late in the game. We have to do better, the three goals we have conceded in our opening league games were all as a result of our mistakes. That is not us, and we will work hard to eradicate them.

That said, Lichfield are a very strong well-established side, with an excellent manager and a strike force that will give any side at this level problems. I have no doubt they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season. They have plenty of quality throughout the team and we more than matched them tonight. I have to be pleased with most of what I saw but we paid a heavy price for missed opportunities, and two defensive mistakes, that hurts.

Finally, I must say a massive thank you to our travelling supporters tonight. There must have been 40 or more and they were magnificent in support of the team. It really is appreciated."