STEETON'S first action of 2022 brought with it a pulsating 2-2 draw against NCEL Premier Division high-flyers Eccleshill United at Marley on Tuesday night.

Eccleshill, currently second in their league, which is a tier above the Chevrons' NWCFL First Division North, scored two quickfire goals around the half-hour mark to take a two-goal lead, before a spirited fightback by Roy Mason’s charges secured the draw.

The visitors from Wrose started brightly and were denied twice in the opening three minutes by two outstanding low saves from Jordan Moorhouse, the Steeton keeper on his return from a leg injury that has so far limited him to two appearances this season.

Steeton created two early chances of their own though, as Kayle Price was denied by the Eccleshill keeper before Jahro Parchment blasted over after great work to cut inside from the left wing.

However, the visitors took the lead in the 28th minute as Luke Aldrich got the wrong side of Ben Darkins and fired home from a tight angle, with bodies inside the area preventing Moorhouse from seeing the ball until late.

From the restart, a long ball forward by Mason’s side allowed Eccleshill to hit on the counter and double their advantage when Sumaili Cissa read the line well to beat the offside trap and beat Moorhouse when one-on-one.

The response from those in green was immediate as from a corner shortly after the second Eagles goal, Joe Snowden lost his marker to flick the ball into the back of the net and halve the deficit.

Half-time brought with it plenty of changes from both sides that took the flow out of an otherwise competitive friendly, until Luke Baldwin nearly equalised on the hour mark as a shot across the face of goal went just wide.

The home side's push continued, and the equaliser came in the 66th minute as a lovely through ball by Baldwin fed Trialist B through on goal, and he composed himself to coolly slot the ball beneath the keeper from close range.

Both teams looked to push for a winner but a nasty-looking ankle injury to the home side’s Callum Buttle brought the game to a halt.

Snowden had a late chance for his second and a Steeton winner as he beat the offside trap to meet a flick on from Trialist B, but his volley on the turn went just over the crossbar.

The Chevrons return to league action in the NWCFL First Division North this Saturday, when they travel to Jericho Lane for their rearranged fixture at South Liverpool.

The initial game was postponed in November, after a number of items were stolen from the away side's dressing room during the warm-up.