The first chance of any note fell to Darlaston on 12 minutes. Lucas Hough and debutant Scott Stevenson exchanged passes in midfield, Hough's pinpoint pass found Leon Taylor free inside the penalty area but the striker was thwarted from getting his shot off by Musa Jawara's superb last ditch tackle.

Rangers keeper Shane Maydew made a comfortable save from Liam Smith's header following a Stevenson corner and Taylor was again denied, this time Joe Bell with a last-ditch challenge. Rangers started to get a foot hold in the game with prompting and probing passes from player/ manager and former Stourbridge midfielder Shaun Geddes, but Darlaston's defensive partnership of Liam Smith and Connor Fellows were superb at the heart of the visitors defence.

Jarad Daniels blazed a free kick over the bar for the home side before the best chance of the half fell to Darlaston's Daniel Bolzon on 35 minutes. Some excellent approach work down the right wing saw Luke Charlton, Sam Causton and Stevenson combine, Stevenson's near post cross was met by Bolzon whose first time effort was smothered by keeper Maydew diving at the feet of Bolzon.

Neither side were creating any chances of note Chris Bladen and Emile Beckford impressing with their forward runs for Rangers but with no end product. Darlaston had slightly the better of the half their work rate and energy impressive.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first with play broken up by niggling fouls or stray passes and neither side hitting the heights with the quality of play associated with both teams.

Aarondeep Grewal had Rangers best chance when failing to convert a back-post header from Daniels' 55th minute corner.

Darlaston pushed on with Scott Glasby, Reis Nadat and Sam Causton all making runs down both flanks but some excellent defensive play by Rangers ensured keeper Maydew was rarely troubled.

Khurum Iqbal's 82nd minute free kick went high over the bar for the home side with keeper Whittaker rarely troubled throughout the second half.

Stevensons' speculative 35-yard shot brought a simple save from Maydew before the best chance of the game fell to Taylor on the stroke of full time. The striker broke clear of Joel Bell 25 yards out, turned Iqbal on the edge of the box and with the goal at his mercy his 15 yard shot ricocheted off the legs of keeper Maydew to deny Darlaston all 3 points.

Overall a draw was a fair result with both teams failing to come to terms with difficult playing conditions with defences on top, limiting chances to a point were both keepers were rarely forced into action.

Tuesday evening Darlaston will play their first competitive game under lights against Walsall Swifts in the first round of this seasons J.W. Hunt Cup kick off 7.45. The official opening game takes place on 5th November when Walsall come to the Paycare Ground for a 7.45 pm kick off.

This Saturday sees Darlaston welcome joint League Leaders Bewdley Town boasting a 100% winning start to the season, jointly heading the table with Shifnal Town after seven consecutive league wins. Kick off is 3.00pm at The Paycare Ground, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley, Walsall WS2 0EA.