Emley finally stopped their run of defeats, earning a well deserved point at Broadhurst Park in the NPL-Premier Division.

Despite the point, Emley could feel disappointed that they didn't take all three as once again there was a good first half showing but once again, Emley failed to be more clinical in the final third.

Backed by a noisy contingent, the Pewits attacked the vast St Mary's Road End and made a good start, a couple of early crosses were caught by the United keeper and then a sloppy pass from FC gifted the ball to De Girolamo but he failed to capitalise and the chance was gone, another Emley attack then saw a deflected header take the ball away from Johnson and again, the chance passed by.

FC found their feet and mounted attacks of their own, two dangerous balls in from their left were dealt with before another chance fell to De Girolamo after another wayward United pass, but this time his low shot crept past the upright, FC then had their best chance of the game so far, another searching ball in from their left forced Bottomley into a save and then the rebound was pushed wide.

It was an entertaining opening to the game as both teams looked to attack, Rinor Ejupi then tried his luck from distance as he wasn't closed down but his shot flew over, it was United's turn to attack next and again, Bottomley was called into action to smother a shot low down. Then a remarkable couple of minutes for Emley, which somehow the hosts kept out.

Stacey's throw into the area was punched clear by FC keeper Atherton, Stacey then lofted it back in but Barks headed wide although he probably didn't know too much about it, as he was under immense pressure from 2 red shirts, but Emley kept the pressure on, a quick free kick saw FC concede a corner which was taken by Haswell on our right, the ball fell to Johnson who saw his shot blocked, the keeper then saved Haswell's follow up, next up was Ejupi, his shot was somehow scrambled off the line and then finally Barks headed over and United escaped, Emley's luck was out again.

Just two minutes later, another great opportunity for Emley, Haswell's deep cross was well dealt with by Atherton, but then the second effort came in from De Girolamo in which the keeper again kept the hosts' goal intact, Emley, urged on by the vocal travelling support behind that goal kept pushing and again were unfortunate when Atherton made two more crucial saves to deny the Pewits. It appeared to be another one of the "another one of those days"!

Things appeared to have calmed down slightly heading towards the break, then an Emley corner was headed off target by Barks again and FC then had a shot go wide before Bottomley made a fine stop to his right from a curling shot from range, and then right on half time, Emley's finally had a bit of luck in front of goal!

A ball in from Haswell from our left bamboozled the FC defence, Johnson stabbed an effort which hit a defender, it came back to Emley and the second effort was cleared off the line, but luckily for Emley, the ball fell to Rinor Ejupi who headed it over the line despite the attention of the home defenders and Emley had a half time lead.

H/T- FC United of Manchester 0-1 Emley.

The lead was no more than Emley deserved but FCUM made a triple half time sub and they came out blazing at the start of the half, Bottomley had to be at full stretch to tip a dipping shot over his bar and a scrambling Emley defence manage to clear off the line from the corner, a minute or so later another shot zipped over.

Emley were then dealt a blow as Gabby Johnson hobbled off to be replaced by Jacob Hanson, Johnson had given the FC defenders a tough time, another United shot was pulled wide but there was a sense that it was only a matter of time before they eventually found an equaliser, but to everyone's surprise, it was Emley who almost added a second, a long ball downfield found Ejupi who saw his shot smash the crossbar from a rare attack.

Another change for Emley saw Clegg replace Kiwomya and right after that, FCUM did find their equaliser, Emley caught out in defence and the experienced Adam Le Fondre beat Bottomley with a well placed shot. Another blow for the Pewits just past the hour when captain jack Cowgill was also forced off with an injury to be replaced by Coban Bird.

Le Fondre, the ex Rotherham and Reading striker then almost had a second, a stray pass out of defence saw him round Bottomley and get his shot away but Barks in sharp to knock it away for a corner.

The game had entered a bit of a lull at this point with neither side creating much of note, Emley playing some neat possession football but without ever threatening the FC defence, the hosts were more direct, putting balls in behind the Emley defence which almost caught the Pewits out a couple of times, but our resilience kept them at bay.

Emley fans feared the worst when Bottomley came bravely after coming to challenge for a deep ball inside his area, thankfully, Emley didn't have to replace a third injured player, another United attack saw Stacey win a header to clear the danger as the hosts looked to complete a second half comeback, a further effort saw Le Fondre's chipped effort drift over the bar.

With 5 to go, Emley created a good opportunity outside the area for Hayden Lindley to get a shot away but it was too weak to trouble the keeper and then in 8 minutes of additional time, Emley pushed for a winner, good play by Hanson and Bird but the shot was well wide of the target.

A point then, the run of 5 straight defeats ended, but Emley would have certainly deserved all three had they come for a good first half and showing great character in the second when the hosts stepped it up, the Pewits took the applause of the travelling fans, who are back on the road on Saturday when we travel to Stockton Town.

F/T- FC United of Manchester 1-1 Emley.

Attendance- 1,081

Emley- Bottomley, Ejupi, Stacey, Lindley, Cowgill [c], Barks, Haswell, O'Connor, Johnson, De Girolamo, Kiwomya;
Subs used- Hanson, Clegg, Porritt, Bird;
Unused- Cressey (GK)

Goal- Ejupi (45+1')

WM Sykes Man of the Match- Diego De Girolamo.