There was little to chose between the two teams when when Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division leaders VCD Athletic were held at home by second placed Holmesdale.
It looked as though the Vickers were going to hold onto their first half lead until they were reduced to ten men with ten minutes to go and the visitors levelled with four minutes remaining.
Adrian Brown had the first chance for Holmesdale when Enoch Muwonge laid it back to him but he drilled it beyond the far post. Then, at the other end, Lee Bird shot wide from thirty yards.
Lewis Heywood-Oriogun met a Muwonge low cross but could only glance his close range shot wide before VCD’s Harry Lawrence hit a shot with the outside of his boot that was deflected inches wide. Although nothing came of the corner, it was recycled and crossed inches beyond the reach of Ben Fitchett.
George Whitelock had to be withdrawn for the Vickers and replaced by Neil Spencer and the substitute had an early effort with a diagonal cross shot that was claimed by Dalers goalkeeper Archie Aldous.
Six minutes before half time, VCD went ahead. Bethel Gboda took a free kick from the left and Aldous could only push it onto the near post and in.
It could have been two just before half time when a quick free kick by Fitchett gave Charlie Heatly a sight of goal but he shot over.
After the interval, Holmesdale had a lot of the possession without testing the hosts’ goalkeeper Andy Walker. Ayo Lugboso found Aiden Ward who turned and curled it just wide. Deandre Williams then shot inches beyond the far post after Heywood-Oriogun’s header set up the opportunity.
As time looked to be running out a Lawrence foul was punished with a second yellow card and dismissal and Holmesdale took full advantage of their numerical advantage by equalising. Ward slipped it through to Jack Church who arrowed his shot beyond Walker.
Tom Cousins had an injury time effort for the Vickers that took a deflection and looped through for Aldous to claim.
Although a point each didn’t really suit either team, a draw was probably a fair outcome.
VCD Athletic: Walker, Lawrence, Cousins, Byron, Fitchett, Fenn, Olawole, Bird, Heatley (Burton 75), Gboda, Whitelock (Spencer 32 (Sargent 81)).
Subs not used: Amoah, Clark.
Goalscorers: Gboda (39)
Yellow cards: Fitchett, Lawrence
Red card: Lawrence (80)
Holmesdale: Aldous, Smart, Brown (D. Williams 60), Evans (Bayford 75), McNamee, Musoke, Lugboso (James 60), Ward, Heywood-Oriogun, Church, Muwonge (O. Williams 75).
Sub not used: Macauley.
Goal scorers: Church (86)
Yellow cards: Ward, McNamee
Referee: Miles Hewson
Assistant Referees: Thomas Marshall and Ronald Albert
Attendance: 155