Baldock Town travelled to Crawley Green to play their first away league match for the best part of a month, in the knowledge that they had lost their previous three Spartan South Midlands League matches and improvement, or maybe some more good fortune, was required.

One change was made to the side that beat Biggleswade United on Wednesday evening with Harry Holland returning to the front line in place of the unavailable Russell Bull. Kim Forsythe was named on the bench after missing two matches with injury, but ultimately stayed in the dug-out.

The early exchanges were dominated by the Reds with chances falling to Dean Gilbert, Charlie Joy and Lewis Barker, but it was the home side who took the lead on 36 minutes when Billy Lobjoit placed a shot past Adam Harpur to make it 1-0. The half continued with chances at both ends, but at the break Baldock could count themselves very unfortunate to go in a goal behind.

The 2nd half continued in the same vein as the 1st with Kieran Barnes going close, but it was a piece of Owen Robertson magic on the hour which brought the scores level, when he curled a glorious shot past Dean Bull in the home side’s goal.

The action continued with Harpur making three good saves while at the other end a Josh Furness shot was deflected over and Barker had another shot cleared off the line.

Late into the game, Bull strained his groin taking a goal kick and was replaced between the sticks by Dirty Clarets assistant manager Craig Meyrick who somehow managed to keep the ball out of the net when Baldock went on a late offensive.

In the end it ended all square with the Reds earning a vital away point, keeping us in 15th position in the table. Both sides return to the Brache on Tuesday evening to do battle again, this time in a League Challenge Trophy 3rd round tie.

Baldock Town: Harpur, Brooks, Priestner, Gilbert, Kenna © (Furness), Hayford, Joy, Barker, Holland (Morris), Barnes, Robertson (James). Unused subs: Forsythe, Farmer.

Scorer: Robertson.

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