Stansfeld headed to Bayliss Avenue knowing a win against Sporting Club Thamesmead would see them leapfrog FC Elmstead and Rochester and into 4th place in the SCEFL 1 table whereas a home victory would see the two exchange places in the battle of 6th vs 7th.
Heavy rain ensured a torrid evening on the pitch was awaiting both sides in front of a crowd of 120 and when Stansfeld midfielder Sam Ryan fired a low free kick from 25 yard after just 30 seconds it was clear that both sides weren’t going to hold back in pursuit of a valuable three points.
With both sides trying to draw first blood it was the visitors who went close again early on as another free kick was floated in was punched clear by Cathrew in the Thamesmead goal before being fired just wide by Freddie Cray.
Cathrew nearly had a say in things at the other end as a long kick was flicked on by leading scorer Tim Beckford to Dan Ellis but his heavy touch was collected by the Stansfeld keeper.
Dieko Falade then wasted a brilliant opportunity after a defence splitting break away, taking too many touches and seeing his effort come to nothing.
The second half saw more attacking football from both sides and Cathrew was to produce the save of the night diving fully to the left and clawing away an effort from Will Hughes.
The deadlock was eventually broken when two Stansfeld central defenders got caught on the slippery surface allowing the ball to skid across to Chris Hubbard who took a touch before firing past the Stansfeld keeper.
Stansfeld almost equalised immediately after a shot from substitute Ollie Milton was well saved by Cathrew who pounced on the rebound after a weak follow up from Billy Shinners.
As the game entered the last 10 minutes Stansfeld piled the pressure on, Killilea saw his 40 yard effort tipped onto the bar. But Stansfeld weren’t to be denied and it was the impressive Ollie Milton who got the deserved equaliser in the 86th minute after a well worked three man move.
Frankie Beale’s through ball to Jay Osbourne was brilliantly cut back for Milton who made no mistake from 12 yards out.
The hosts almost regained the points but centre half Rolex Buiti saw his late effort crash into the base of the side netting.
The draw means that Stansfeld find themselves just a point behind 5th place FC Elmstead who travel to Lewisham Borough on Wednesday.
Sporting Club Thamesmead: Aaron Cathrew, Reion McFarlane, Bode Olajide, Chris Hubbard, Jordan Lovell, Rolex Buiti, Dieko Falade (Connor Dobson 46), Aaron Jeffrey, Josh Jackson (England Kurti 70), Dan Edwards.
Subs: Greg Smith, Connor Watson, Bruno Lima
Stansfeld: Charlie Cottrell, Billy Parkinson, Frankie Beale, Greg Summersby (Jay Oborne 73), Lennie Wise, Casey Killilea, Freddie Cray, Sam Ryan, Macey Malyon (Billy Shinners 65), Rob Hughes, Red Jenkins (Ollie Milton 56).
Subs: Lewis Oborne, Liam Rankin
Attendance: 120
Referee: Mr Steven Tunnicliffe