Two promotion hopefuls shared the spoils at a sun drenched Artic Stadium.

After a cagey opening – both sides cautiously taking steps into the new season – the first effort on goal of the new season came from the hosts Rory Hill after 18 minutes, as his long range effort flew over the bar.

As Valley started to gather momentum, Denzel Gayle tigerishly won possession in midfield before fine interplay resulted in Marcel Barrington’s effort being blocked.

Indeed, it was the hosts who took the lead in the 33^rd minute – pressure from Barrington on Hawks keeper Nathan Stroomberg saw the ball fall for Ade Adeyemo to convert from a tight angle.

The advantage was almost doubled minutes later as the ball fell to Gayle in the 18 yard box – his effort being somehow deflected over for a corner.

After the teams traded punches in the lead up to half time, The Hawks equalised in the 48^th minute – the impressive Ronnie Conlon crossing for James Fraser to slot past Chris Lewington.

With both sides enjoying spells of pressure without troubling the goalkeepers,  Millers pushed for a winner late on.

Stroomberg was twice called into action in the 78^th minute – thwarting efforts from Gayle and Hassan Ibrahiym – before Babalola was played through on goal three minutes from the end but opted to cross for Gayle whose effort was defended.

MILLERS’ STAR MAN: – FRANCIS BABALOLA – A constant menace to the Hawks backline after joining the action

MATCH RATING: – ***

MILLERS : Lewington, Dymond, Green (Ibrahiym 61), Blanks, Tumkaya, Gayle, Sammoutis, Barrington, Adeyemo, Warren, Hill (Babalola 65)

Not used : Semakula, James, Beerling

HAWKS : Stroomberg, Emberson, Edwards, Mensah (Unwin 90), Blackmore, El-Abd, Munt, Lawson, Splatt, Fraser (Muggeridge 84), Conlon

Not used: Freeman, Clark

Referee : Aaron Farmer

Assistants : Thomas Wyatt, Terence Dawkins

Pic –  Francis Babalola bears down on goal as The Millers push for a late winner

Match photos by Michael Brown – @BSportsphotos