Basford United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at Greenwich Avenue against Prescot Cables in a game that didn’t see many chances fall to either side.

Kallan Murphy put the visitors into a lead that they held for most of the match, until skipper Matt Thornhill responded to a brilliant cross with an equally good header to ensure the Ambers finished the game with something.

It was a cagey start to the match with both sides seeing plenty of the ball, but neither able to carve out a chance. The first big chance of the game fell to the visitors as Murphy’s header from a cross glanced just wide of the post with Saul Deeney beaten.

Nothing separated the sides as the half ticked on as both defences remained resolute, with the Ambers posing a threat on the counter but couldn’t challenge the keeper. Eventually a breakthrough came as the Ambers gave the ball away in a dangerous area, and Murphy responded to a through ball by slotting it past Deeney to give the visitors the lead in the 32nd minute.

Momentum switched in the game as Prescot saw most of the ball and began threatening a second, but Basford kept clearing their lines despite the play remaining mostly in their half. Jordan Hallam saw the Ambers’ best chance with a half volley that fizzed over the bar, but ultimately the one goal was the only real big moment before the interval.

Much of the same continued at the restart as both teams were eager to get forward quickly, but just as quickly the chances seemed to vanish. A lovely move by the Ambers almost saw that big moment arrive, as Kacy Butterfield did brilliant with Ash Chambers to set the latter up for a shot, but once again the ball couldn’t hit the target.

A huge chance at the other end from a corner saw a header soar towards goal, but Thornhill blocked the ball onto the post and avoided calamity despite appeals for handball. The skipper made another huge difference on the game in the Prescot box, as he found himself unmarked as a perfect cross from Josh Barnes made its way towards him, and he made no mistake as he put the Ambers level in the 75th minute.

Much like the hosts in the first half, the Ambers started to gain momentum but couldn’t find another golden chance to take the lead as the clocked ticked towards added time. They looked the more likely team to score the winner until the final minute of the game, when James Foley danced past defenders on the edge of the box and launched a low shot towards Saul Deeney, only for it to rattle the post. It marked the last action of the game and both teams settled for a point.

MOTM: Matt Thornhill

ATT: 252

STARTING XI: Saul Deeney, Taylor Anderson, McKeal Abdullah (Josh Barnes, 61’), Matt Thornhill ©, Prince Mancinelli (Ethan Stewart, 74’ (Louis Nicholson, 92’)), Victor Nirennold, Kane Richards, Kacy Butterfield, Tyrell Waite, Jordan Hallam, Ash Chambers

SUBS (not used): Tyler Dacres, Rev James