Report: Clayton header denies Reds win

Danny Elliott's fifth goal in three games nearly grabbed all three points for the Reds at the Citadel but we were denied by an Adam Clayton header as the points were shared on Saturday.

Elliott scored another fantastic individual goal on the hour mark, cutting inside before firing a low shot through the defenders legs into the near corner. But Clayton powered home a Richards cross just three minutes later in a second half which was far better than the first.

Walton had the first effort of the first half which was easy for Jordan Wright, Josh Clackstone's cross from the right was blocked behind for a corner, Bobby delivered towards Dom Smith but good defending denied a clean connection towards goal.

Ryan Qualter had a half chance from our next corner, volleying over after the ball bounced in front of him. Farsley attacked but a shot looped over the bar from the edge of the box, the corner was cleared by Amari Morgan-Smith.

Both sides traded possession with the ball mostly going back and forth in aerial battles, we cancelled each other out throughout the first half with chances really at a premium. Spencer was caught offside before Qualter headed behind for a corner which went straight out.

Danny had a half chance on 31, flashing a shot wide of the near post after a quick step-over in the box, this proved to be the closest either side came in the first period.

The second half was far better as both sides upped the tempo, Bobby fired wide of the post from the edge of the D before Danny released Amari on the right and the Reds forward got into the box before his cross come shot went wide of the far post with Elliott stretching.

Josh Wilde and Qualter cleared crosses into the box before Wright claimed Atkinson's cross from the left after a surging run into our box. Wright then hit a goal kick against Cartman as the ball trickled wide in a lucky moment for us on 52.

Bobby had a volley blocked before we pressed further with Wilde and Clarke combining with the former seeing his cross cleared away. Then with 60 gone, Elliott gave us the lead after Lynch found him on the right, he surged into the box before cutting inside and firing low into the near corner.

Just three later it was 1-1, Clayton powered a header unmarked past Wright from a few yards after Richard's pin-point cross.

Bobby fired a first time effort over the bar from Elliott's pass, Richards curled a free kick from 25 yards wide before Amari had a big chance on 74, latching onto a loose ball at the back but his touch let him down as Barnes raced out to block the ball.

Two chances came for Farsley with a shot going just wide from inside the box before Cartman tested Jordan again who produced a good save.

We had another big chance on 88 with Bobby skipping past two tackles before finding Elliott on the left, he was denied with a point blank save by Bower, the hosts substitute goalie who somehow kept the low shot out.

The Reds will be disappointed to have not come away with all three points but the second half display should have warranted all three. A draw was the fair result in the end and we extended our unbeaten run to three matches.

Next, we face Gateshead on Tuesday at the Impact, kick off is 7.45pm.

ATFCXI: Wright, Clackstone, Wilde (c), Clarke, Qualter, Smith, Killock (Lynch 40), Elliott, Branson, Morgan-Smith, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Tomlinson, Unwin-Marris, East, Whitham.

Referee: Jonny Irwin
Attendance: 457