Monmouth Town 1 Pontyclun 1

A last minute strike from point blank range by defender Luke Harris grabbed a well earned draw for the Kingfishers and kept their survival hopes on track.

Possibly fielding the youngest ever starting line up the Town were hoping to take the confidence of the last game into the match against high flying Pontyclun making their first visit to Monmouth.

The preparation was undone in the first minute as tackles were missed and clearance failed and although Ponty missed three srtrikes on goal in a goalmouth melee they were awarded a penalty as Smith was adjudged to have handled on the line.

Williams, making his first start for two months in place of the flu ridden Roberts, was given no chance with the spot kick.

For the rest of the half however Town took the game to an increasingl frustrated Pontyclun who seemed surprised by the tenacity of the Kingfishers midfield and the competence of its backline, again superbly organised by Smith.

As the half progressed it looked like the Town would get at least an equaliser but they had to be alert to the threat posed by Pontyclun whose two strikers, particularly the right winger who looked capable of unlocking the defence at will.

Once again Town's strikers wanted too much time to put away opportunities; more than once tackled in possession and failing to get strikes on goal. McCoy came closest, hitting the bar from distance and the half ended with Town still with a goal to get.

The second half was a similar affair but again chances went begging for both sides with some offside decisions saving defensive blushes.

Pontyclun had four efforts disallowed. Some correctly and some as offside strikers couldn't resist the final touch. Williams also pulled off some superb saves.

As the game looked to have a familiar hard luck story about from Town's point of view, Palmer's corner kick was headed back across goal by Bowen and Harris did the rest.