PONTELAND United dropped two points in their pursuit of the Premier Division title, being held in an entertaining game at Birtley Town.

Heading into the game on the back of a good run of form which had put them back in contention with the teams at the top, they will view the 2-2 draw with Birtley as an opportunity missed.

Birtley took the lead on 15 minutes when Aaron McEwan and Connor Halpin exchanged passes, with the latter calmly stroking the ball home to finish the neat passing move.

Ponteland battled back and enjoyed a period of sustained pressure which saw them win a number of corners, Reece Havelock-Brown seeing two efforts go behind.

But he was to find the back of the net soon after when he was picked out by Alex Nisbet, and he took aim from 25 yards and curled a fantastic effort into the back of the net via the inside of the post. Their joy was shortlived, though, and Town were back in front just a minute later when a long throw into the area wasn’t dealt with, and Daniel Hill swivelled to fire past Craig Whinham on the half volley.

Ponteland were really struggling with Birtley’s throws and it took an excellent save from Whinham to keep them within a goal of their opponents when he superbly punched Halpin’s instinctive effort over the bar.

Birtley had a glorious chance to extend their lead early in the second half when Jordan Fraser was well placed six yards in front of goal, but he skied his effort well over the top.

The let off shocked United into action, and they were denied a leveller as Fenwick’s effort was blocked on the line before Birtley keeper Philip Mills tipped Spencer’s shot from the rebound over. But Pont did find the equaliser when Chris Hibbit’s excellent cross found captain Glenn Ford unmarked, and he made no mistake in heading back across and beyond Mills.

Ponteland looked the more likely to find a winner, and they should have found it five minutes later as Nisbet connected with Gary Cook’s cross but his point blank header hit Mills.

Birtley were putting everything on the line and Cook had two shots blocked, with Ethan Bewley also seeing an effort kept out.

Chances continued to come and go for the visitors, with Bewley fashioning a chance in the final minutes only to see his shot on the turn sail wide.

l A 50TH club goal for striker Daniel Troughton sent Ponteland United Reserves top of the Tyneside Amateur League.

Taking advantage of previous leaders Cramlington Town Reserves slipping to a 2-1 defeat to Jesmond, Troughton’s goal was enough to earn a 1-0 victory over Forest Hall to take them to the summit of the table by one point.

It was an excellent team performance with Mr Reliable, captain Darren Parkes, again named man of the match.

Ponteland have played one game extra than second placed Cramlington and two over third placed Stobswood Welfare, but with 10 games to go it is all to play for.