Goalscoring defender O’Grady on target again as Pontefract Collieries point the way
Pontefract Collieries stretched their unbeaten run to five games in all competitions, but had to settle for a point in their home game with Bridlington Town in the NPL East.
Jimmy Williams’ men came into the game off the back of three straight league wins plus an emphatic County Cup success, but found themselves trailing after being caught out on a clinical counter-attack.
Destiny Nnenanya provided the finish for the visitors after combining with Ahmed Salam in the 20th minute.
The goal came against the run of play after Colls were unable to take advantage of some early opportunities, with James Morris and Alfie Perry going closest to scoring.
They were further frustrated when keeper Alex Baird produced a flying save to keep out a Morris header and Perry sent another effort off target.
But the hosts were level on 39 minutes as their prolific scoring centre-back Connor O’Grady came up from the back to glance a near post header past the keeper from a corner.
Brid finished the first half strongly with Ben Tweed denied by a fine save from Harry Christy and Salam also testing the keeper from the edge of the box.
The second half saw the visitors go close to regaining the lead when Nnenanya’s shot was deflected wide then Jacob McLoughlin’s header from the resulting corner was cleared off the line.
Ponte also threatened only to be foiled by keeper Baird and Morris was unable to put away a big chance in the 75th minute.
They had an effort cleared off the line and both sides went close in added time, but there was to be no winner.
The draw saw Colls drop a place to sixth, although they are level with Matlock Town in fifth and within seven points of top of the table Bradford (Park Avenue).
In midweek Ponte hit the goal trail in a 7-1 hammering of lower level Keighley Town in the first round of the West Riding County Cup.
Alex Metcalfe headed home his first goal of the season to get the ball rolling, but Keighley hit back to score from their first chance after being awarded a penalty on 19 minutes.
The home team were only level for seven minutes as Marcel Stepniewski came up with a smart finish.
And Colls added two more to lead 4-1 by half-time with O’Grady and Metcalfe again netting.
Nathan Modest put them further ahead after the break when Morris struck twice. In a dominating display Jack Wilson also hit the post.
Collieries are at home again to Consett on Tuesday night before travelling to Hallam on Saturday then hosting North Ferriby next Tuesday.