A last-minute header by Tom Davie condemned Salford City to their second game without a win as they drew 2-2 with Frickley Athletic at Moor Lane.
With top of the table rivals Blyth Spartans winning 1-0, the result looks to have The Ammies dispatched to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier playoffs as they seek promotion for the second year in a row.
Salford took the lead on the 16th minute when Richie Allen drifted into the box and fired a low shot that proved too good for Sebastian Malkowski.
The visitors would equalise moments before half time, as a whipped in ball by Brad Grayson found Steve Jeff, who was left unmarked in the box, and managed to power his shot into the bottom corner.
Truth be told, it was no more than Frickley deserved.
The Blues started had put pressure on The Ammies throughout the first half with the lion’s share of the chances.
A Steve Jeff corner fell to centre-back Luke Hinsley and while his shot was struck well enough, it was just wide.
Just before Richie Allen put the home side ahead, Frickley right-winger Brad Grayston floated a ball in meant for target man Jacob Hazel, however a well-timed gust of wind drifted it onto the post.
Salford would almost extend their lead through Chorley signing Josh Hine, who launched a solo counter-attacking run from deep in The Ammies’ defensive third.
Finding himself one-on-one with the keeper, he lacked the composure that usually serves him so well, firing the ball well over the bar.
As the game developed John Johnston came into his own on the right wing. His pace and dribbling was too much for Steve Jeff to handle as he delivered a myriad of superb balls that the home strike force couldn’t capitalize on.
Towards the end of the half Salford’s defence started to ride their luck. Just two minutes before the break Tyler Williams cut inside into the box, and looked to have beaten Salford captain Chris Lynch for pace.
Lynch launched a desperate challenge that, had the winger gone down, would have seen the referee point to the spot.
The start of the second half would see the physicality of the reserve fixture start to show, with Jeff and Steve Grayson booked for cynical challenges on Richie Allen and Chris Lynch respectively.
Salford had a golden opportunity to take the lead on 53 minutes as Hine won a long ball to find himself one on one again with the keeper. His shot was superbly blocked by Jameel Ible and although the ball fell to Johnson his shot was incredibly tame.
The Ammies would take the lead through Jordan Hulme when a floated cross from the left wing was met by Hulme’s head from close range.
The hosts almost made it three moments later with a lightning counter-attack, yet a stunning challenge by Hinsley denied what looked a certain goal.
Salford managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley were looking for the third goal to secure a win, bringing on star pairing Gareth Seddon and Danny Webber to replacing the misfiring Hine and Hulme.
Webber’s first chance of the game came from a great run by Johnston who found Webber in the box, however the referee ruled it offside.
In the final 10 minutes the conditions at the Kersal ground deteriorated rapidly, with the gusting wind making it difficult for Frickley to get an attack going. Nonetheless, Williams dribbled past Gumbs in the 84th minute before firing a low cross met by a Hindsley shot, but it was again well blocked by Chris Lynch.
The chance would be a sign of things to come, as a drilled cross by substitute Grant Ryan was met by Tom Davie who once again was Johnny-on-the-spot to make the scores level in the dying moments of the game.
Salford City (4-4-2): J Lynch, Gumbs, O’Halloran, Stopforth, Howson, C.Lynch ©, Johnston, Moses, Hine (Webber ‘78), Hulme (Seddon ‘78), Allen
Subs not used: Burton, Clark, Mwasile
Frickley Athletic (4-4-2): Malkowski, Davie, Jeff (Ryan ‘83), Hinsley, Cyrus, Ibile ©, Grayson (Parkinson ‘75), Akeroyd, Hazel, Walshaw, Williams
Subs not used: Wood, Stratford, Hood
Referee: Mr Ian Gritting
Attendance: 521
Main image by Charlotte Tattersall (@SalfordFCPhotos)
