Shirebrook Town 1 - 1 Emley

AFC Emley were forced to settle for a hard-to-take point against Shirebrook Town FC at Langwith Road on Saturday afternoon, where Mark Robinson's last gasp equaliser rescued a 1-1 draw for the hosts.

Matthew Jackson's sublime strike with 20 minutes to go looked to have sealed all three points for Darren Hepworth's side, but naivety allowed Shirebrook to score a harsh, scrappy goal with the final kick of the game.

Despite a slow start, Shirebrook could well have been in front inside ten minutes when Mark Robinson found space. The forward fired across goal but watched his effort clatter against the far post.

Emley's reaction was positive and they could too have taken the lead. The towering presence of Tom Brennan caused Shirebrook all sorts of problems, especially from the countless corners they had to defend. The centre-back got up well to connect with Liam Schofield's delivery but the contact was almost too good as it flashed over the crossbar.

Ashley Flynn's persistence in pestering was proving a real handful for the Shirebrook defenders, but creditably, they kept him quiet throughout the first half.

Their solidarity in defence gave them the confidence to endeavour to take the lead. They very nearly did that, as well, when the sharp-looking Robinson did well to burst through on goal, but he poked well wide.

Emley needed the best possible start to the second half to ignite their predatory prowess, but were made to sit back as Shirebrook threatened to take the lead.

The visitors soon worked their way back into the game, albeit slowly but surely. Ashley Flynn and Aaron Joseph saw poor efforts bobble wide.

But the deadlock was finally broken with 20 minutes left, and how. Matthew Jackson ensured he entered the goal of the season competition. After selling two defenders with a taunting turn, he rocketed the ball into the top corner and fired Emley into a well-deserved lead.

The Pewits may well have made it 2-0 in the final few minutes. Josh Senior went for goal twice, but his efforts came to no avail.

Emley were then made to pay for their naivety. Failure to retain possession gifted Shirebrook a final attempt to salvage a point. Talented winger Mitchell Dunne shook off Liam Schofield before delivering a deadly ball into the box, which was somehow eventually bundled over the line by Mark Robinson with the last kick of the game.

The referee blew his full-time whistle before the Shirebrook celebrations had even ended.

Today's North Lights Physiotherapy Man of the Match was Sam Jerome. He is also shortlisted with Tom Brennan and Matthew Jackson for the PA Discos Player of the Month award.

A victory would have taken Emley up to 8th in the table, just six points from the top.

Instead, a disappointed Darren Hepworth must settle for 10th. He will look to regroup his team ahead of Wednesday night's trip to face 13th placed Brigg Town at The Hawthorns (19.45).