Cleethorpes Town laboured to a 1-1 draw against Lincoln United Reserves at Ashby Avenue on Wednesday night.

Luke Shipman volleyed the home side into a surprise lead but Jonathan Oglesby’s fourth league goal of the season put the Owls back on level terms just minutes later.

Andy Liddell handed a first start to midfielder Michael Steer since September 3rd, while there were also starting berths for Tommi Wright and Luke Mascall. Phil Cawley returned to the squad too, lining up at the heart of the Owls defence.

And Cawley was in the thick of the action early on. After scuffing a shot from the edge of the area moments earlier, he hacked down Luke Shipman conceding a penalty after just four minutes. Whites striker Chris Funnell stepped up but his low shot was saved magnificently by Scott Drury.

On 10 minutes Drury was forced into action again, spreading himself well to again deny Funnell, who was this time presented with a one-on-one chance.

Cleethorpes had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock after 20 minutes. On the counter attack, Brody Robertson was sent down the left hand side before squaring the ball across to the unmarked Todd. Todd though made a hash of the chance and sent the ball high over Liam Hutchinson’s bar.

Moments later and the home side took the lead. It was likely to take something special to beat the in-form Drury and Shipman’s exquisite volley from the edge of the penalty area fitted the bill.

United couldn’t hold onto their lead though. Renzie Lobendhan’s free-kick to the right of the penalty area was drilled in low, and Jonathan Oglesby guided the ball past Hutchinson to equalise.

Robertson had the opportunity to put his side in front just after, chasing on to another direct pass and outpacing the Whites defence. His tame shot was easily saved.

The Whites carved open the last clear-cut chance of the half when Funnell peeled off down the left flank and pulled the ball back for Lloyd Freeman, whose vicious effort was blocked by the scrambling Cleethorpes defence.

Liddell made a change at half-time, removing the uncharacteristically quiet Luke Todd and replacing him with Callum Day.

It was a change which nearly reaped immediate rewards when Day was played in on goal, but the ball got caught under the forward’s feet and Lincoln United’s backline cleared.

With 53 minutes on the clock, the dangerous Funnell again used his pace to worry the Owls but his effort skimmed the top of the bar.

Opportunities were hard to come by in the second half for both teams and the home side were more than matching their opponents throughout – despite the 15-point gap between the teams in the Lincolnshire League.

With a quarter of an hour to play, a minute of madness nearly saw Lincoln United end the Owls unbeaten run.

First Drury was forced to snuff out a chance for the home side before making another solid stop after a header from the resulting corner. The ball was then cleared but Funnell volleyed the ball goalwards from the edge of the area – the ball beat Drury but struck the foot of the post.

It was the last real action of the match and, in the end, a draw was perhaps the fair result. The Owls will be hoping to bounce back on Saturday when they host Horncastle Town at the Stamford Club.