FOURTH-PLACED Acomb men’s I played out a hard-fought 2-2 home draw with third-placed Bradford II in Yorkshire Hockey League division four north.

The point apiece leaves the Tangerines six points adrift of Bradford in the table with eight games remaining.

The visitors started strongly and put pressure on the home defence, but Sam Lynn opened the scoring in the fifth minute to settle the home side.

Lynn had a chance to double the lead, but his reverse strike flew wide.

The Tangerines controlled the game, with Dave Richardson and Paul Wright setting up attacks down both flanks.

Chances were scarce for both sides, but the equaliser arrived shortly before half-time when the visitors attacked down the middle and shot sharply past ’keeper Craig Brown.

Ten minutes into the second half, the visitors pounced from a penalty corner.

This stirred the home side into action with Simon Theaker and Dave Brown securing the defensive flanks, letting the forward line press on through Pete Hilton, Nick Linfoot, Harry Ellis and Matt Dickenson.

The latter struck a post twice and the visiting ’keeper made a string of fine saves until Wright found himself in the right place at the right time to force home a rebound with ten minutes left.

Both sides pressed for all three points and had chances, but Baz Whitfield and Paul Kellett in defence held firm and secured a 2-2 draw for Acomb.

Acomb men’s II lost 4-0 at Huddersfield Dragons IV in division five north.