Gymns secured a valuable Canada Life Premier League point at Tromode on Saturday against Union Mills as they continue to mount their annual battle for top flight survival.
On a bright yet cold afternoon, both sides struggled to create chances especially during a lacklustre opening period.
After the interval, however, an early Ste Cretney goal brought the game to life with the visitors netting a deserved equaliser late on to collect a hard-earned share of the spoils.
Although the first half was disappointing, the best scoring opportunity arrived early on when Jez Lovett was played in by Cretney but his well-struck shot was parried away by the agile keeper Danny Christian.
As Derek Cowley’s side worked their way into the contest, defender Stephen Halsall sent a header only inches wide of an upright.
But it was the home side that ended the half the stronger with keeper Christian forced to deny a fine effort from Michael Booth before another Cretney effort missed the target by inches.
The second half, however, was a much more absorbing affair, thanks in the main to Cretney’s early goal.
Impressive defender Jonathan Broad delivered a cleverly flighted free-kick into the box which Cretney rose to head firmly home against his former club.
The goal spurred the visiting side into action and it required some gritty and determined defending to ensure the Mills scoring opportunities remained few.
Then, midway through the half Mills manager, Cowley played his master card throwing on Ronan McDonnell and Bradley Humphries in an effort to change the game.
With just 10 minutes remaining the move worked as McDonnell made room at the edge of the box before letting fly with a terrific shot that sailed past James Brown in the home goal.
During the closing minutes both sides pressed for a winner with the best chance falling to Humphries but his cleverly worked effort skimmed over the cross-bar.
TEAM CHECK
Gymns: James Brown, Jonathon Broad, Barry Hardinge, Gareth Gawne, Danny Kewley, Mark Connor, Danny Rose (Wayne Mears) Jez Lovett, Michael Booth, Nick Bowden (Luke Fisher), Steven Cretney (Mark McCarrick)
Union Mills: Danny Christian, James Cannell, Richard Cannell, Chris Kelly, Stephen Halsall (Bradley Humphries), Karl Dobbin, Michael Nash, Gareth Logan (Ronan McDonnell) Kyle Uren, Steven Quine, Matthew Cain
Referee: Glen Weir - had a good, steady game, kept communication going with the players and handled the game very well
Assistants: Matty Evans and Anthony Page
Man of the Match: Ste Cretney - with Gareth Gawne not far behind
Match rating: HHIII
Attendance: 40