A close game sees the Miners share the spoils with Bishop Auckland. An early goal from Matt Savage was cancelled out by a deflected Cyril Giraud strike, but it could’ve gone either way.

The encounter began with intensity as both teams looked to play on the front foot and press with a high line. After a few wide efforts from both sides, the first main chance fell to Auckland striker Giraud, who latched onto the end of a cutback cross and narrowly struck his volley past the post.

However, the deadlock was broken by Town in the 22nd minute as captain Dan Coupland played a ball through to Matt Savage, who took a touch out from his feet and curled a brilliant effort around the visitors’ keeper Ryan Cattrick, hitting the post and in to give Garforth an early lead.

The Bishops were certainly not down and out, as shortly after a clever flick-on by Joseph Bartliff found Giraud in behind the Town backline just wide of the six-yard box, but his pass along the box was attacked by no-one; a definite goal if an Auckland man had managed to reach it.

Following a long period of a tight midfield battle, a Johnathan Haas drive forward allowed him to strike a bullet of a shot from distance, forcing Harry Flatters to tip the effort over the bar to prevent the equalizer and take the game to the break.

The second half started in a similar manner, with both sides battling but struggling to create more goalscoring opportunities. Frustrations grew in the travelling camp, as rash tackles from Auckland’s John Howard and Haas saw them into the book with yellows.

Just as hope for the visitors seemed to dwindle, an impressive solo dribble by Giraud in the 67th allowed him to fire towards the goal. Unluckily, the strike heavily deflected off Town’s Harry Viggars and past the other side of Flatters to level the match.

The Bishops looked to capitalize on the momentum as shortly after the equalizer, a lofted ball in behind fell to Bartliff in space, but a quick reaction by Flatters resulted in a good one-on-one save.

After a long period of attacking threat from the Durham side, Garforth managed to chisel a good chance; a cross from Matt Antcliff met the boot of substitute Jason Davis, and his impressive scissor-kick volley was only driven marginally wide.

Further Town inclusions of subs Max Bauer, Max Tweddle and youngster Daniel Ramsden couldn’t find the winner for Garforth, but a draw seemed fair for both sides.

Town’s next game is against Bridghouse in the West Riding Cup on the 30th of October.

Attendance: 223