Atherstone had taken 12 points from their previous 5 games whilst Darlaston had taken 10 so with both sides in the top 5 teams in the form guide a tough and close encounter was in store, and that is exactly how it panned out. With both teams still hoping to secure a play-off spot, there was even more tension on show, neither side giving an inch.

The Atherstone groundstaff had worked wonders over the previous 24 hours to get the game o. The referee passed the pitch as playable, but it has to questioned as both sets of players found it difficult to keep their footing in treacherous conditions, as the game progressed and more rain fell, the pitch turned into a quagmire. The safety of both sets of players and damage to the pitch, perhaps should've been given more consideration, before kick off.

Atherstone made a bright start, livewire Lewis Collins bringing a good near post save from keeper Tom Allsopp in the opening 2 minutes. Collins did find the back of the net two minutes later, a long defensive clearance caught the visitors flat footed, in acres of space Collins easily beat Allsopp from 15 yards.

Atherstone had the better of the opening stages, but Darlaston started to find their rhythm and acclimatise to the playing conditions. Collins and Quinn both snatched at half chances for the Adders whilst Aaron Bishop thudded a 10 yard shot against the bar, as the visitors went in search of the equaliser.

Mitch Botfield and Kieron Miller both spurned good opportunities, both striking 22 yard free kicks inches wide and high over the bar respectively.

The worsening conditions and difficult playing surface were taking their toll as passes went astray or didn't the intended target, whilst late tackles started to creep into the game. The conditions came into play on 38 minutes, when a lunging tackle from Callum Rudd, caught Bishop as the striker was racing through, the referee pulling out an immediate red card, reducing the home side to 10 men for the remaining 52 minutes.

As might be expected, the advantage saw Darlaston apply more pressure in the second half, but the quality, work rate and organisation of Atherstone, meant that any advantage was minimised as The Adders gave pretty much as they got in the second half.

The equaliser came on 54 minutes. Rivel Mardenborough making progress down the right flank, before finding Mitch Botfield whose 20 yard shot looked as though it was going wide, before Bishop slid in at the far post to steer the ball home from two yards.

As the conditions worsened, both sides found it difficult to find space and the accuracy of the passing meant that defences were on top. Adders young keeper Finn Osbourn was excellent in goal, with some assured handling , whilst Ryan Quinn and Lewis Collins still posed an attacking threat. Ryan Winwood and Botfield controlled the pace of play for the visitors through midfield areas, with the front three of Bishop, Mardenborough and Kieron Miller always looked dangerous. Bishop hitting the bar for a second time, Mardenborough and Miller both shooting wide when well paced.

The home side regained the lead 11 minutes later, Darlaston failing to clear a corner, the ball eventually coming back into the box where a Jamie Spiers header hit the underside of the bar, before going into the net.

They were only in front for 6 minutes before the visitors equalised for a second time. Substitute's Jack Downing cross deflected into his own net by Jacob Shilton.

Overall, a fair result, with the weather being the only winner. That said every single player on both sides strained every sinew for their club, teammates, and supporters. Both management teams should be proud of the effort exerted by every player.

Following the game Darlaston manager Dean Gill commented " Whilst we all want to get games on, I am not convinced this game should have gone ahead today. Players were in danger today and the pitch is now in a terrible state. Thankfully whilst we picked up injuries, no player was seriously injured but It will take a herculean task by the Atherstone groundstaff to get the pitch back into tip top condition. I am not sure either is a price worth paying for a game of football. The game itself, because of the conditions lacked quality at times, but both sets of players were magnificent today and represented their clubs with immense pride. Their work rate was phenomenal. A draw was probably a fair result and leaves both clubs in the play-off race".