Atherstone Town were held to a 2-2 draw in an action packed game at home against Darlaston Town on Saturday afternoon.

Lewis Collins had given the Adders an early lead, before Callum Rudd was shown a red card before half time.

Darlaston levelled after the break before a Jamie Spiers header restored an Atherstone lead that could not be held onto in difficult conditions.

Next up for Atherstone is a trip to take on fellow play off hopefuls Stourport Swifts on Tuesday night.

The trip to take on Whitchurch Alport on Tuesday 27th February summed up the attitude around the team right now. Reduced to ten men and 2-1 down, the Adders kept fighting to come away with a huge 3-2 win.

That level of performance would be needed again on Saturday, as they played host to a Darlaston side fighting for the same league position. With key players missing and on a very difficult pitch, a repeat performance would be no simple task.

Atherstone got off to the perfect start on Saturday, as Lewis Noon found a ball in behind for Lewis Collins who made no mistakes one on one to give the Adders the lead inside five minutes. With the rain pouring down and conditions becoming increasingly difficult, the early goal felt as though it would be very important.

Darlaston grew into the game, and had a couple of dangerous direct free kicks, but struggled to create much in open play to trouble Finn Osborn in the Atherstone goal. At the other end, the Darlaston keeper had to be quick of his line a couple of times to deny Collins and Jamie Spiers opportunities.

As the half went the pitch began to really churn up and make it hard for both sides to control the midfield battle. One of the half’s key decisions came just before its end, as Callum Rudd was shown a straight red card for a hefty challenge in the middle of the park.

The decision looked to be a harsh one and gave the visitors the momentum before the break. The Adders saw the game until half time, where they would look to formulate a plan for success whilst a man down for the second time in a week.

Atherstone looked to use the pitch to their advantage and get the ball wide, but found themselves pegged back not long into the second 45. An unfortunate slip at the back allowed a ball to be played across from the right to be turned home at the far post.

The Adders responded excellently to the set back, and found themselves back in the lead before long. Josh Steeles corner found its way back out to him, and his second ball into the box was headed home off the underside of the bar by Spiers.

The very 260 fans that braved the conditions were getting their moneys worth, but unfortunately the goal scoring was not done there. Another cross from the Darlaston right caused chaos, and was turned home despite the best efforts of Osborn.

The visitors looked to make their man advantage count late in the game, but the Adders were resolute and held out for a hard earned point. The players left the field to warm applause, covered in mud for the efforts and able to reflect on a point gained in difficult conditions.

The result means it is as you were in terms of league position, with Atherstone sitting in seventh just three points off the play off places and with games in hand on those above them. With the season getting towards its business end, the Adders seem to be finding their form at just the right time.

Next up is another big game on Tuesday night, as Atherstone travel to take on one of the teams above them in the play off places, Stourport Swifts. That is followed up by another away fixture as they make the trip north to take on Northwich Victoria on Saturday 9th.

Things a starting to heat up now, and the support of the fans will be as important as ever. Be sure to keep on getting along and showing your appreciation for your Atherstone Town.