Stockton Town were made to settle for a point against Hebburn Town on Boxing Day.
The Anchors took an early lead through Stephen Thompson, and headed into the break with a man advantage after Matthew Elsdon was sent off.
In the second half, ten-men Hebburn levelled through Dan Savage. Both teams ended the game with ten-men when Lewis King was sent for a second yellow card.
Michael Dunwell named an unchanged team as Stockton faced their North East rivals Hebburn for the first time in over a year.
Stockton had the best possible start to the game as Thompson rifled them ahead inside three minutes. King played an intelligent ball down the right flank and Thompson fired a rocket into the net.
Shortly after the half hour, Stockton were denied the chance to double their lead when Hebburn goalkeeper Kieran Hunter produced an excellent instinctive save to tip over Adam Nicholson’s header on goal.
Hebburn’s prolific forward Amar Purewal had his first sight of goal as he was played through one-on-one but he could only drag his effort wide.
A good Stockton move down the field ended with the ball being laid on a plate for Thompson on the edge of the box but he could only spoon the ball over the bar.
The first half ended with Hebburn reduced to ten-men. Elsdon made a hash of the ball and then put in an appalling challenge on Mikey Roberts when the forward had nipped in.
Half Time: Stockton Town 1-0 Hebburn Town
Despite being reduced to ten-men, Hebburn showed intent as Joao Gomes forced Nathan Harker into a save with a strike from outside the box.
From the resulting corner, a short corner was taken to Savage who put the ball towards the goal and it looped past Harker for the equaliser.
Stockton looked to bounce back from the set back. Roberts had a low strike which was comfortably gathered by Hunter.
King came agonisingly close when the ball broke out to him and his effort rattled the crossbar.
Substitute Michael Fowler had a couple of chances to restore Stockton’s lead. He powered a dipping strike wide of the post, and later could not direct the ball past Hunter when he was played in.
Despite having several chances and being denied some stonewall penalties, Stockton’s hopes of three points were wiped when King was given his marching orders. The defender received a second yellow for an innocuous challenge as the game headed towards full time.
Hebburn had the game’s final chance when substitute Liam Murray saw his near post effort well saved by Harker.
Full-Time: Stockton Town 1-1 Hebburn Town
Stockton Town: Harker, King, Baggs, Painter, Nicholson, Coulthard, Hayes, Butterworth, Sweet (Fowler 90’), Thompson, Roberts (Leech 74’)
Unused Subs: Gallacher, Purewal, Birtles
Hebburn Town: Hunter, Heywood, Turner, Thompson, Donaghy, Elsdon, Gomes (Murray 74’), Noble, Purewal, Martin (Walton 46’), Savage
Unused Subs: Van Zandlviet, Adamson, Moore
Goals: 1-0, 3 min, Thompson; 1-1, 52 min, Savage
Attendance: 976
Photo: Harry Cook
Words: James Cartwright
