Darlaston ended a four game losing sequence with a well deserved, hard earned point against a very good Kidsgrove Athletic under the floodlights at The Paycare Stadium.

In the first ever meeting between the two clubs, after a tense and tight affair both sides emerged with a point, a fair reflection of the balance of play.

Under the management of two former Football League players, Tom Pope and Matt Rhead, with a combined 700 football league appearances, as you would expect, Kidsgrove were superbly organised, tactically astute, and full of quality. Darlaston's young side with four teenagers in their back five having to come of age, and compete for every ball against their more experienced opponents.

The visitors were dealt an early blow in the 5th minute, Jack Bromfield replacing Oliver Finney who had picked up an innocuous injury.

The crowd of 191 were treated to game full of energy, passion, will to win and workrate from two evenly matched teams, with both teams pressing and contesting every ball, the final pass was rushed and the quality of the build up play suffered in the final third. Jay Snook and Logan Cousins impressed up front for the visitors whilst Darlaston's young back four, superbly marshalled by the more experienced Alex Foreshaw, stood firm.

Opportunities were few and far between for both sides, neither team creating any clear chances, Callum Knowles shooting wide for the home side with their best chance of the half. Josh Thorpe and Shaun Rhodes were majestic at the heart of the visitors defence sniffing out any danger, whilst Billy Corns, Bailey Storey and Karsten Cairns, defied their young age as their confidence grew and they became more accustomed to the pace of the game.

The teams went into the break goalless.

The second half saw the early introduction of former Lincoln and Mansfield striker Matt Rhead, his class, quality, speed of thought and ball control, evident from the moment he came on in the 55th minute. The Kidsgrove goal threat increasing immediately, but Foreshaw and Cairns were superb, keeper Josh Bishop rarely called into action other than to clear up loose balls and passes.

The sides continued to cancel each other out and a breakthrough looked unlikely until the 85th minute when the visitors were awarded a penalty. A stray pass in midfield fell to Cousins who ran clear before being brought down by Carsley in the box. Rhead's spot kick was superbly saved by Bishop diving to his left to parry the ball to safety.

The final minutes saw Kidsgrove keeper Woolrich make a comfortable save from Fabian Salmon's 25 yard free kick, whilst Darlaston were indebted to keeper Bishop who tipped over a dipping deflected shot.