Pontefract Collieries’ play-offs hopes took a major blow when they dropped out of the top five in the NPL East after letting a two-goal lead slip for the second successive game.

After a 2-2 draw with Emley, Colls’ fate is now out of their own hands as they must beat third-placed Dunston in their final regular season game away this Saturday and hope fifth-placed Bradford (Park Avenue) fail to win against Ossett United in their last match.

They had looked set to round off their home campaign in style when opening up a two-goal lead on an Emley team that has lost form in recent weeks, but have been in the top three for much of the campaign.

But the battling Pewits, who needed a point to seal their play-off place barring a football miracle, hit back to force a draw in the second half and leave Jimmy Williams’ men needing a big turn round this weekend.

Niah Payne scored twice, but Pontefract Collieries were held to a draw by Emley in their penultimate NPL East game. Picture: Daniel Kerr

placeholder image — Niah Payne scored twice, but Pontefract Collieries were held to a draw by Emley in their penultimate NPL East game. Picture: Daniel Kerr

In front of a record home league attendance of 846 – also Colls’ third highest competitive fixture attendance – the hosts opened the scoring with a goal to match the occasion from Niah Payne as he rocketed an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net after being found on the edge of the box by Jack Wilson’s pass.

It stayed 1-0 to half-time with the two teams evenly matched and clear chances proving hard to come by.

Wilson put the ball in the net early in the second half only to be denied by an offside flag, but on 57 minutes it was 2-0 when Payne doubled his tally after turning and firing low at the near post, wrong footing the keeper.

The home fans were not celebrating for long as Emley quickly hit back, winning a corner from which Charlie Barks netted two minutes later.

Elliott Walker came close to restoring the home lead soon after while Barks went close for the Pewits at the other end.

Emley levelled 14 minutes from time when Chris Dawson’s cross sat up nicely for Gabriel Johnson to slot home and the scene was set for a nervy finish.

The visitors had the momentum with Kurtis Turner and Barks both getting efforts in, but Colls pushed for a winner late on and only good defending denied them.

It is all down to the last league game now for Ponte as they face a trip to the north east to face a Dunston team in red hot form in recent weeks, winning their last four matches and seven of their last nine to clinch their top five place and climb above Emley into third.