Stourbridge were disappointed at not securing the three points and were left to rue missed chances in the opening half when on top and a contentious penalty decision for the hosts that came almost immediately after Gary Hackett’s men had finally broken the deadlock early in the second period.

The two new loan signings came in for their debuts straightaway with Chris Gallagher and Bradley Reid taking the places of Tom Tonks and Luke Shearer, while Darryl Westlake and Leon Broadhurst both returned to the side after being absent for the defeat at Altrincham a week earlier, replacing Aris Christophorou and Connor Gater (both injured). Luke Benbow reached a landmark at Buxton as he chalked up his 200th appearance for the club.

The Derbyshire hosts were under the new management of Steve Halford and Paul Phillips with the duo having de-camped from Glossop North End the previous day to take on the Buxton job.

A fairly even start on a cold evening in the Peak District saw neither keeper seriously tested in the quarter-of-an-hour or so before the first real opportunity came on 19 minutes as Benbow set up Reid for the first real sight of goal, however his left foot shot from the edge of the box skewed wide of Jan Budtz’s right-hand post. In the 22nd minute Budtz produced two saves in quick succession to keep the visitors at bay. Aaron Forde threaded a neat through pass into the run of Reid who found himself in on goal but Budtz blocked his low shot before the ball was recycled to Kaiman Anderson who tried to curl a shot into the bottom corner, however Budtz produced a fine save low down to his left to turn the ball round the post. Two minutes later Forde was again the provider to lay on another chance for Reid, but this time he poked his shot the wrong side of the post.

Buxton looked to hit back and Matt Gould was extended for the first time with 32 minutes gone as Liam Hardy turned and fizzed in a shot that the Stour custodian tipped over the bar.

Two minutes before the break Gallagher, enjoying a tidy first appearance, clipped a pass into Benbow in the right channel area and with the ball sitting up nicely, Benbow let fly with a shot that Budtz was equal to.

Four minutes after the re-start Stourbridge made the breakthrough. Stuart Pierpoint lofted a free-kick into the box where Paul McCone won the first header to turn the ball back across and towards goal where Leon Broadhurst was able to turn and hit a close range shot that took a deflection off a defender before rolling past Budtz.

Stourbridge joy proved short-lived though as Buxton swiftly went down the other end with Brad Grayson advancing into the right-hand side of the area before taking a tumble as he was closed down by Darryl Westlake. The referee pointed to the spot and a bout of ‘handbags’ followed with the visitors incensed at the award, which led to bookings for Pierpoint, Hayden and for Buxton, Taylor.

Once that was dealt with, Hardy stepped forward and smashed his spot-kick in off the underside of the crossbar. The equaliser certainly buoyed the home side who might have gone ahead just a couple of minutes later as Hardy was played in on goal, but Gould blocked his low shot with his legs. They continued to push with McGee going close with a shot after good work by Amos.

Stourbridge were dealt a blow on 69 minutes as Reid pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He hobbled off to be replaced by Josh Cooke.

Luke Shearer replaced Gallagher after 81 minutes as play grew frantic in the latter stages of the contest.

Buxton were denied a second goal four minutes from time with Amos hitting an angled low shot that beat Gould, however McCone was in the right place to clear off the line and then three minutes later at the other end Forde laid the ball into Shearer who could only fire into the side-netting. Jake Evans was then introduced for the dying moments as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Team - Gould, Hayden, Westlake, McCone, Pierpoint, Forde, Gallagher, Broadhurst, Benbow, Reid, Anderson

Subs: Cooke (for Reid 69 mins), Shearer (for Gallagher 81 mins), Evans (for Anderson 89 mins), Tonks, Antonio (not used)

Booked - Pierpoint, Hayden, Gallagher, Forde, Benbow

Att: 172