Long Eaton United were held once again to a draw, making it 5 draws in our last 7 games, but we were thankful to 'keeper Ben Allsop who saved an 82nd minute penalty to preserve a home point.

In a pulsating finale to the game, either side could have won it, but in the end, it was a familiar tale for The Blues....

The Blues made 1 change to their starting 11, with George Atwal replacing Callum Cocks in a straight swap, whilst both Dexter Walters and Jahvan Davidson-Miller were named on the bench after both recovered from knocks.

In bright but blistery conditions at Grange Park, The Blues got the game underway, playing with the wind behind them. It became apparent very early on that the gust would take any long balls with it and out of play. This happened on a few occasions, with Long Eaton unable to adapt to the strong winds.

There was an early sighting of goal for James Taylor from the edge of the 18-yard-box. His shot went just over, however the assistant referee had his flag up for an offside.

On 10 minutes, a dangerous, raking Gianluca Bucci long ball had threatened to put leading scorer Evan Garnett through on goal, but once more the wind took the ball out of reach of Garnett and out for a goal kick.

5 minutes later, Sutton Coldfield had an opportunity after Atwal fouled Tom Hurley just outside the penalty area. From an angle, the dangerous cross into the box was cleared by Jayden Cotterill, and from the resulting attack, Evan Garnett was presented with a goalscoring chance, but his shot towards the near post went comfortably wide.

Halfway through the first half, The Blues had the games best chance. Another diagonal ball from left to right bounced awkwardly inside the visitors penalty area. With the wind swirling, The Royals' defenders were unable to judge it correctly and James Taylor had time and space to hook a ball across for Garnett to poke home, only to see his effort saved on the line by the midriff of Luke McGinnell. The Long Eaton players appealed for a goal, but the assistant referee was unmoved and the game continued.

Sutton Coldfield were slightly on the back foot, and just a couple of minutes later they were aided by the strong wind, when an under hit backpass looked to be heading straight into Garnett's onrushing stride, however the wind seemingly got a hold of the stray pass and 'keeper Wren was able to clear the ball out for a throw in.

On the half-hour mark, Royals Danico Johnson caught Tristan Thompson-Matthews late just inside The Blues half. Referee Crosby-Smith appeared to be ready to show a yellow car to the Sutton Coldfield man, but the winger needed extensive treatment after coming worse off from the tackle, and subsequently no car was shown, and 3 minutes later, he was withdrawn for Ryan Edmunds.

Thompson-Matthews, who was able to shrug off the impact of that challenge had a typical long-range effort which fizzed just wide a minute later, but there was little goalmouth action until right at the end of the half.

Following a couple of late corners for the visitors, Luke McGinnell, who was a handful from set pieces all afternoon, had a clear strike at goal, but his low shot went just past the post, as the thankful Ben Allsop watched on.

The switch around at halftime presented Sutton Coldfield with the advantage of the wind behind them, and got straight to work. Allsop made his first real save on 47, diving to his right to keep out an effort from Reece Gibson. Then, a tame effort towards The Blues' goal was fumbled by Allsop, perhaps affected by the wind, and went out for a corner. Whilst Long Eaton survived that scare, it wouldn't be long until we were behind and chasing the game.

In the 58th minute, The Royals took the lead, James McGrady's looping header seemed to spend an eternity in the air, but it managed to loop over Allsop and his outstretched left hand and nestle into the Blues net.

Behind, and against the wind, The Blues toiled to get a foothold in the game. Walters came on in place of Atwal and he looked lively on the left hand side, but it was the visitors who almost took control of the game. Gibson came close on 69 minutes, Allsop saving high to his right, then on 72 minutes Hurley hit a low, drilled effort which hit the foot of Allsop's right hand post, the keeper rooted to the spot. A minute later Allsop was called into action again, saving at Gibson's feet when the forward was through on goal.

These close calls then seemed to spark Long Eaton into action. Bucci blazed over, whilst Walters delivered a couple of inviting crosses, which were almost turned in by Garnett.

On 80 minutes, The Blues drew level, after breaking down the right Betts and Taylor combined superbly to change defence into attack, and after an unfortunate slip by a Sutton Coldfield defender, the ball fell to Taylor inside the penalty area and he produced a composed finished low, past the keeper.

There was barely time to celebrate though, as from the resulting kick off. the visitors were straight back onto the attack and after Long Eaton were unable to clear their lines, a shot towards goal was blocked by Callum Cocks, who had joined in the action, replacing Louis Bonser. Appeals that Cocks had handled the ball took some by surprise, but the referee didn't hesitate and pointed to the spot immediately and duly showed a yellow card to the midfielder.

The Blues, only just back on terms were once again staring down the barrel. McGrady took his time to compose himself, before shooting low to his right. Allsop guessed correctly and pulled off a superb penalty save to deny McGrady his second goal of the afternoon.

From here, the game turned into a thrilling contest with both sides searching for a knockout blow. Thompson-Matthews hit just over, then James Taylor produced a great tackle when tracking back in the 88th minute, with The Royals winger about pull the trigger when through on goal.

As the officials indicated 3 minutes of time to be added, there was almost another twist. Cocks sent a long ball forward, and Garnett, short on goals in recent weeks, got half a yard on his marker and glanced a header agonisingly just past the post and the outstretched hand of Wren.

The final 10 minutes felt like 2 boxers battling it out in the 12th round of a heavyweight contest, going toe-to-toe, blow-by-blow. Perhaps it was fitting that neither side won this contest and both took a point out of the game.

That's just 1 win 12 now for The Blues, but following another game with plenty of plusses to take away, confidence remains high in the camp, and a trip to top 5 contenders Belper Town awaits on Easter Monday.

LONG EATON UNITED: Allsop, Betts, Bonser (Cocks 67), Atwal (Walters 60), Cotterill, Bucci, Pace, Hansen, Garnett (c), Thompson-Matthews, Taylor. Subs not used: Davidson-Miller, Cole.

ATTENDANCE: 147