Corby Town had to settle for a point after a 1-1 draw with Histon in the Blue Square Bet North.

The Steelmen dominated play in the first hour of the game but were unable to grab an elusive second goal to put the game out of Histon’s reach. As it happened the home side grabbed an equalising goal on the hour mark and dominated for the remainder of the match.

Both sides went into the game desperate to make amends for midweek defeats, but it was Corby who started the stronger of the two outfits.

Matt Rhead, who was involved in a vast majority of Corby’s attacking play, did well to close down Histon’s Dallas Moore in his own box in the 13th minute. He rolled the ball to a waiting Nick Rogan who’s shot dragged wide of Jorg Stadelmann’s right-hand post.

Some good work by James Ozmen ten minutes later left Matt Rhead one-on-one with the Histon goalkeeper, but Stadelmann did well to save. Andy Hall thumped the rebound back from twenty yards, but his effort was tipped over the bar.

Corby finally made their dominance pay in the 29th minute when a pin-point Andy Burgess free-kick found Delroy Gordon at the far post. The defender, sent off against Hyde last week, took his header well and left the Histon goalkeeper with no chance.

The home side almost had an equaliser eight minutes later, speedy full-back Zak Mills made a burst down the right to the Corby byline. His floated cross found Grant Roberts who looked to have beaten Mackeznie with a powerful header. Thankfully for the Steelmen faithful his effort cannoned back off the post and was cleared by Captain Phil Gulliver.

The second half came with more spurned Corby chances, a speedy counter attack began with James Ozmen nicking the ball in his own half. He used the outside of his boot to spin the ball to Andy Hall who attempted an early ball into striker Rhead, but the Histon ‘keeper was equal to it and went down well to save.

More chances for Rhead and Hall were to follow, but Stadelmann held firm in goal and Corby could not find a way past him.

Their lack of a killer edge was punished in the 63rd minute with a Histon attack that started and finished with Harri Hawkins. The defender picked up the ball in midfield, passed to Matt Breeze on the edge of the area who rolled the ball back to him. Hawkins kept his nerve and shot low past the sprawling Mackenzie for the equalising goal.

The equaliser seemed to spur the home side to life and they kept Corby ‘keeper Chris Mackenzie busy for the remainder of the match. Histon captain Omer Riza should have won the game in the final minutes, but he scuffed his shot wide when he found himself clean through.

Corby themselves had a golden opportunity to snatch all three points, but Rhead could only watch as Stadelmann palmed his header off the line and deny the big striker his second goal of the season.

Histon: Stadelmann; Mills, Moore, Fitzsimons, Hawkins; Breeze (sub Taaffe, 81 mins), Dowie (sub Thomas, 30 mins) , Stevenson, Sparkes; Holman, Riza. Subs not used: Cleaver, Day, Kitscha.

Corby: Mackenzie; Gordon, Malone, Gulliver, Mayo; Hall, Ozmen, Towers, Burgess (sub Ives, h-t); Rhead, Rogan (sub Smith, 66 mins). Subs not used: McDonald, Land, Hibbert.

Referee: M George.

Goals: Gordon (29 mins, 0-1), Hawkins (63 mins, 1-1).

Attendance: 302