Ten man Town had to dig deep and show their fighting spirit to return home from Cheshire with a point.Nathan Joynes received a 46th minute red card for an alleged elbow but The Shaymen overcame the loss of the front man and may have even won the game late on.
Northwich are fighting for Conference survival and threw everything at Town in the second period but resolute defending and competent keeping from Adam Legzdins kept them at bay.
The first half was a different story.Two weeks of inaction and with Brian O'Callaghan making his first appearance alongside fellow defenders Thomas Harban and Tom Sharpe who were making their second start were quickly forgotten as Town took a 4th minute lead.
Joynes picked up a long ball turned and released Craig Nelthorpe, another player making his second appearance, on the left.The loanee winger cut inside and unleashed a right foot shot that took a deflection past keeper Lewis Edge.
Simon Heslop forced a save from Edge with a trademark 25 yard but it wasn't one way traffic as Legzdins saved at his near post from Lucas Akins who is on loan from Huddersfield Town.And, his fellow striker Aaron Burns brought the home side level a minute later when he converted a right wing cross.
Town responded with Tom Kearney and Lewis Killeen creating a good position for Heslop but his shot was a yard over the bar.Nelthorpe's right wing free kick was partially cleared to Killeen but he couldn't keep his snap shot down and it sailed over the bar.A flowing move down the left saw Nelthorpe cross for Jon Shaw but his looping header failed to trouble the Northwich keeper.
Killeen has a 36th minute shot saved by Edge but what followed was comical as the keeper rolled the ball forward preparing for his clearance.Jon Shaw ran forward to challenge and the keeper's clearance rebounded off Shaw and into the net and The Shaymen had the lead for the 2nd time.
But they were pegged back in stoppage time.2 minutes of extra time were announced but Town paid the price of slowing the game down as exactly 3 extra minutes had been played when Aaron Burns netted his second, this after Town had wasted a free kick.Northwich broke and Burns scored from 6 yards.
The second half was seconds old when Joynes received a red card for alleged use of an elbow.Town had the first chance of the half though when Killeen latched onto Shaw's flick but Cortez Belle got back to avert the danger.
Town reshuffled with Nick Gray taking Nelthorpe's place, a move that allowed Killeen to move into an advanced position.
Northwich had the majority of possession but Town held firm and Legzdins pulled off a fine save to turn Jamie Mullan's deflected shot away.The keeper saved from Akins moments later as well.
The late introduction of Andy Campbell almost won the game for The Shaymen.Tom Sharpe broke from defence and fed Heslop who advanced towards goal, drew his marker and fed Campbell but Edge pulled off a point blank save and both sides have to settle for a share of the spoils.
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