Monmouth Town continued their march towards the First Division of the Welsh league, but had to settle for a point against third-placed Croesyceiliog at the Sports Ground last Saturday (14th January).

In truth, the Town could have been comfortably in front as the game entered the final 10 minutes, but will be the happier of the two sides after Jacob Guy's rescued a point with three minutes remaining.

The Kingfishers kicked off 19 points in front of their opponents, who themselves have promotion hopes, sitting in the last of the three promotion spots.

The pitch was perfectly playable but a little sticky after the overnight frost had thawed in the crisp winter sunshine.

Full back Aaron Davies was ruled out with an ankle injury, resulting in a return for Dan Spence and a spot for the returning Dean Palmer on the bench after three months out of first team action with an ankle injury of his own.

The home side were quickest out of the block and should have taken the lead after just 30 seconds but Matthew Bowen was just unable to get the ball out of his feet when well placed in front of goal.

Full backs Ford and Spence were getting forward at every opportunity and a superb cross from the latter was just headed over by Elliot Ford.

Croesyceiliog gradually got themselves into the game and forced numerous corners that were delivered with pace but rarely threatened the home goal.

Chances were few and far between as the Town started to struggle to zip the ball around to the standard they have set this year and numerous misplaced passes put them on the back foot as the visitors grew in confidence.

The visiting keeper kept the score lines level just before half-time when, from a James Hughes long throw, an Alderdice flick on found Bowen just three yards out.

Bowen's strike was clean and pure but straight at the keeper, who blocked with his legs.

The half-time talk was one of trying to move the ball quicker and to play at a higher tempo to get the all-important first goal.

It was, however, the visitors who started the brighter in the second period but again, rarely threatened Pass in the Town goal.

Chorley, in the visiting goal, again made a point blank save, this time from Sam Palmer who probably struck the ball too well when a scuff would have found the bottom corner.

The game swung from end to end as both sides looked for the opener and tackles started to fly in as the pitch grew softer and softer.

Elliot Ford was just inches wide from a header as the visiting defender struck him in the head with a high boot, but the official deemed no foul was made and Guy headed over from a corner as the Town looked to increase the pressure.

The feeling in the large crowd was that the Town would get the first goal and the willing hard working Croesyceliog side would fold, but to their credit, this never materialised.

As the game grew without a goal, frustrations grew and the Town tried to force too many balls forward rather than their usual patient build up play.

The visitors' hard work and endeavour paid off with just eight minutes remaining. A long ball was flicked on and the retreating backline were caught, allowing the winger to cut in from his flank and poke past Pass to give the visitors the lead and leave the Town facing their first home defeat of the campaign.

To their credit, the Kingfishers never gave in. Alderdice forced a corner and as substitute Palmer swung the ball in, Elliot Ford headed back across goal to Jacob Guy, who headed in his first goal for the club to restore parity with just three minutes remaining.

For the rest of this report, see this week's Beacon (18th January)