In one of just a few games to beat the weather Darlaston made the long trip to deepest Herefordshire, just on the border with Wales and came away with a well-earned point. Unfortunately for the visitors it was a precious two points dropped in their push for a top two finish.

The Kington ground staff worked miracles to get the game on and whilst the pitch was heavy and tacky under foot there was no surface water and whilst quality suffered both teams worked tremendously hard to entertain the supporters.

Darlaston manager Andy Parkes shuffled his pack again, forced into two changes. Scott Broadway and Danny Mayne returning to the starting line up with new signing Josh Cooper and Ant Follows replacing them on the bench.

Both sides found conditions difficult at the start, but it was Darlaston who created the early chances Danny Mayne having a shot blocked by Brian Dyer and Lucas Hough shooting wide. Jake Robinson responded for the home side, but his effort went tamely wide. Darlo missed a glorious chance to take the lead on 12 minutes when some excellent approach work by Leon Taylor sent Mayne clear of the visitor’s defence but the striker sliced his 12-yard shot wide

Kington's response was immediate as they took the lead two minutes later with a superbly worked goal. A four man move was rounded off when former Hereford striker Jamie Davies clipped the ball home from 6 yards converting a Jake Robinson cross. The home side missed another chance three minutes later to double the score Davies this time could not convert the chance.

The game was evenly balanced and both sides were guilty of needlessly giving the ball away with stray passes.

The equaliser came in the 21st minute. A left-wing Clarke-O'Connell corner found Lucas Hough unmarked at the far post and Hough made no mistake planting his header beyond keeper Brian Kirkham. Just moments later Darlo missed a chance to take the lead but Scott Broadway missed the target with a powerful shot.

For a 15-minute spell the game became ridden with free kicks neither side being able to create passages of sustained pressure. Jake Robinson and Brian Dyer both had shots which went wide whilst Broadway and Sam Giles were both off target for the visitors.

On 36 minutes the best piece of quality football in the half saw Leon Taylor beat two defenders to create an opportunity for himself gliding into the box but keeper Kirkham was up to the task parrying Taylor's shot for a corner. The resultant corner was only partially cleared to Lucas Hough whose superb cross into the box was met by a Scott Broadway header, Kirkham got a hand to it, the ball falling to Taylor who netted easily from 4 yards.

Instead of ensuring they held on to their hard-earned lead, Darlaston were again guilty of some slack defensive play just two minutes later as Kington pushed forward a Jamie Davies angled shot was parried by keeper Aaron Morris into the path of Jake Robinson who converted from 6 yards under pressure from Sam Causton.

Darlaston edged the half but the half-finished even at 2-2.

With the wind at their backs and with the advantage of the slope Darlaston opened the 2nd half brightly forcing three corners in the first three minutes. Darlaston were forced into their first substitution in the 53rd minute Ryan Jones found himself on the end of a heavy tackle late in the first half and could not continue Josh Cooper replacing him for his debut. Cooper was immediately in action as he broke up a Kington attack and interchanged passes with Clarke O'Connell down the left flank before whipping in an excellent cross which was met by Broadway, Kirkham making a comfortable save.

As the half-progressed Harry Bowen and Lewis Phillips for the home side were imposing themselves on the game and their influence and quality of pass started to change the game in favour of the home side. Darlaston didn’t help themselves with poor clearances and misplaced passes meaning that Kington gained confidence and they looked the team most likely to score which they did on 62 minutes. Ryan Nicholas converting a Harry Bowen cross in a carbon copy of their opening goal.

Taylor's work rate was impressive as he created two half chances for himself both missing the target. Substitute Ant Follows curled a shot high and wide but the home side had more possession, Darlaston keeper Morris was forced into two saves from Harry Bowen and Connor Bufton.

As the game entered the final few minutes Darlaston broke the hearts of an impressive Kington team with a late equaliser. On 88 minutes Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell cut in from the left beat two defenders scoring from a tight angle across the face of goal.

Unbelievably the visitors lack of concentration nearly cost them dearly as from the kick off Bufton beat at least four Darlaston players before unleashing a superb shot from 20 yards producing an outstanding one handed save from Aaron Morris, ensuring the visitors made the long journey home with a precious away point.

Darlaston’s next match is scheduled for Tuesday Evening, very much weather permitting against Wrens Nest, under lights at The Beeches, Packwood Road, Tividale, B69 1UL. Kick Off 7.45pm.

This coming Saturday Darlaston travel to near neighbours Wyrley FC kick off 3.00pm.