Corby Town survived controversy and some bad luck to claim a fine 1-1 draw at Droylsden in the Blue Square Bet North.

The Steelmen felt the home side’s equaliser early in the second half should not have been allowed to stand. But on the balance of possession and chances, the draw was probably the fair result as Corby shaded the first half while the Bloods were better in the second.

Luke Holden set the tone for an attacking first half when he tested the returning Lee Windrum after only 30 seconds. Soon after, Gregg Smith, who used his strength to good effect against the home defence, saw a shot blocked and Troy Johnston fired the follow-up wide. Windrum was in action again on 12 minutes to deny Paul Jones following a goalmouth scramble.

Then on 18 minutes, Corby took the lead as Smith’s shot attempt was blocked but the ball nicely for Jordan Fairclough to slot home his first goal for the club. Droylsden’s response was strong and the Steelmen were lucky to escape when Ciaran Kilheeney headed against the bar after he outjumped Paul Malone. But the Steelmen had their own bad luck story at the other end when Steve Diggin did everything right to control Fairclough’s cross and take the ball around the keeper, only for John Hardiker to block his shot on the line. And the busy Fairclough was close to his second on 38 minutes when he leapt well to meet Smith’s cross but the keeper made a fine save.

Droylsden’s equaliser three minutes into the second half was controversial. Lewis Killeen’s free-kick was only parried by Windrum and Lee McEvilly followed up to score. But Corby were furious that McEvilly had been allowed to just run back on after getting treatment without waiting for the referee’s permission. Steelmen boss Graham Drury angrily made his point to the referee Andy Scregg – who turned a deaf ear.

Back on the pitch, Windrum engaged in a personal duel with Kilheeney as he denied the striker twice with a double save on 58 minutes and again from a shot on the turn five minutes later. Diggin thought he had scored a second for Corby on 68 minutes when he headed home Glenn Walker’s cross, but the assistant referee’s raised flag cut short his celebrations. As the game entered the final stages, Droylsden looked the more likely to grab a winner as both Alex Brown and Kilheeney fired narrowly wide. But neither keeper was beaten again and Corby took a solid point.

Droylsden: Phillips; Vaughan, Jones, Hardiker, Brownhill; Holden Boyd (sub Miles, 57 mins) , Killeen, Gardner (sub Brown, 69 mins); Kilheeney, McEvilly (sub Rouse, 57 mins). Subs not used: Cryan, Chalmers.

Corby: Windrum; Wilcox, Malone, Gulliver, Sansara; Fairclough, Johnston (sub Fitzpatrick, 62 mins), Towers, Walker (sub Spruce, 82 mins); Smith, Diggin (sub Mooney, 74 mins). Subs not used: Dolman, Manship.

Referee: A Scregg.

Goals: Fairclough (18 mins, 0-1), McEvilly (48 mins, 1-1)