With a number of first team regulars still missing through suspensions incurred last season and holidays, Joe Rawcliffe was given his first start to replace the unavailable Luke Aldrich. Harry Colville and Nash Connolly were back though, with the former filling in at fullback to replace the unavailable Steven Jeff. New signing Somuadina Ndu was among the substitutes.

Garforth enjoyed most of the possession early doors in a scrappy, wind-afflicted first period. Max Tweddle's free kick was deflected narrowly wide by Jack Brownell, then moments later a Dan Coupland strike was deflected just off-target when set up on the edge of the box by Davis. There was another chance for "Captain Coops" after good work by Davis and Rawcliffe, his header claimed by Hallam keeper Hugo Warhurst. Shortly after, Davis had a go himself with a trademark thirty-yard strike which Warhurst turned wide. An effort from a similar distance by Matthew Savage on 27 mins went just wide.

The well-organised visitors looked to hurt us on the counter-attack and were appealing for a penalty on 39 mins when Paulo Aguas went down in the box, but the referee waved play on. Just before half time, Benny Ndlovu almost picked out Brandon Bradbury in the six yard box, but the centre-back couldn't get the decisive touch and Tweddle managed to clear the danger.

The first chance of the second half fell to Coupland who's low shot went just beyond the far post after a Davis free-kick was worked to the edge of the 18-yard box. The Countrymen responded by putting themselves into the lead on 52 mins. Ndlovu's strike was parried by Flatters into the path of Aguas who smashed into the net.

Happily for the Miners, Hallam couldn't turn the screw and the introduction of U23 midfielders Rio Korbel and George Harrison on 61 mins freshened things up going forward. The visitors did enjoy chances however, most notably Ndlove firing over the bar after Town gave the ball away and it was worked across the edge of the box. A grounded Harrison was somehow denied by a defender at close range after Allerton raced down the left, and then another Harrison chance ended in a point-blank save by Warhurst when teed up by Davis. The midfielder wasn't to be denied a first goal for the club however, and after latching onto a ball over the top he kept his cool and fired across Warhurst into the top corner to bring Garforth level.

Davis was in with the chances yet again in the final ten minutes, forcing a good stop from Warhurst after making his space on the edge of the box, and then sub Ndu was denied a goal on his debut when his shot was blocked after a left-wing delivery was half cleared. Town had to be careful to avoid leaving themselves open to the late winner that was our undoing last week, and to that effect Sam Denton was brought on to shore up the Town defence. In the end though there was no late drama and a draw was how it finished.

A third consecutive home match follows on Tuesday when we host Grimsby Borough (kick-off 7:45pm).