Stourbridge 1 Stamford 1

Three games without a win had done little to boost Stourbridge's play-off prospects and manager Gary Hackett was hoping that his team would find some form ahead of the difficult-looking weekend trip to Curzon Ashton. And whilst there was no lack of effort from Stourbridge, they still lacked the necessary spark in front of goal.

New signing Aron Wint, brought in after parting company with Leamington, began the game in attack, whilst Josh Quaynor also started, with Luke Benbow and Reece Hales having to content themselves with places on the bench.

Drew Canavan put an early free kick over the Stamford crossbar on 3 minutes, whilst at the other end Daniel Clements couldn't direct his free header on target on 7 minutes, after not being picked up at the far post.

Dean Coleman was tested for the first time on 11 minutes when Stamford's leading scorer Ryan Robbins fired in a low free-kick which was gather easily.

Although Stourbridge were played some good football they were finding it hard to penetrate the visitors' back-line and few real chances came along, although Kayelden Brown might have tested Andrew Stevens in the Stamford goal after 19 minutes, his header lacking power.

The Daniels threatened again on 27 minutes when the ball fell to Jordan Smith in the six yard box, but he seemed slow to react and Coleman was able to pounce on the loose ball.

Within 60 seconds of that scare, the Glassboys were ahead. Canavan chased down Tom Bathelor's under-hit back-pass and nicked the ball past Stevens. Lewis Carr did well to get back and block Canavan's first effort on the line but the loose ball fell back to the Stourbridge man and he made no mistake second time round.

The goal seemed to settle Stourbridge down for a while. Wint blasted a free kick over the bar after 35 minutes, and then in first half stoppage time Canavan ran at the Stamford defence and brough a good save out of Stevens with his 20 yard shot, while there was still time for Smith, off balance, to volley well over at the other end as the half finished with a flurry.

The opening 15 minutes of the second period brought few openings until Leon Miles went close just after the hour, flicking the ball just over the crossbar from Quaynor's corner.

However, Stourbridge were made to pay for their inability to kill the game off as Stamford levelled after 67 minutes. Clements played a good ball in from the right which Smith controlled well, taking the ball round Miles and slamming it past the helpless Coleman from 8 yards.

Stourbridge continued to press but Stamford's defence held firm and there were few notable chances. Benbow and Brian Smikle were introduced to pep up the attack, but it was the visitors who probably should have struck the decisive blow with ten minutes remaining. Robbins got the better of Quaynor in the penalty area but with only Coleman to beat his finish lacked the composure of his earlier effort and flew wide of the post.

With time ticking away, there were two late chances for the Glassboys. First a loose ball dropped to Smikle six yards out but with Stevens advancing he could only lift his shot over the bar, and then Will Richards cut in from the right and shot low for the far post, only to see Stevens make a good save low to his right.

The draw means that Stourbridge remain 11th in the Premier Division table.

Stourbridge: Coleman, Richards, Quaynor, Williams, Brown (Smikle 75), Miles, Connolly, Broadhurst (Morgan-Parker 87), Wint (Benbow 75), Canavan, Knight.

Unused substitutes: Hales, Fitzpatrick.

Attendance: 206.