Match Report -
Spoils shared again
By Iain Benson
Celtic and Droylsden shared the spoils in an entertaining derby match thanks to a late, spectacular goal from Patterson.

In a chess match of a first half, Droylsden had the better of the opening period, with McGuire and Gray both having good shots well saved, and a close range effort from Gray off a corner was hacked off the line by Battersby. At the other end Halford conceded a free kick in Smart range, and Smart's shot through the wall was tipped out for a corner.

The second half was where all the action was, and the game turned when Halford brought Ellington down with a clumsy challenge inside the box. There was no alternative but for Halford to be shown a red card, and Ellington scored with a powerful penalty kick.

Despite being a man down, Droylsden made no changes, and went looking for the equaliser immediately, Gray bringing out a smart stop from Phillips, but the corner wasn't defended very well and when Beck put it back into the mix after Sykes's half clearance, Byrom had the space to head down, it looked like Phillips would keep it out, but the ball bounced awkwardly and Droylsden got their equaliser.

With the man advantage, Celtic had the better of the play after the equaliser, and Hardiker's powerful header beat Mawson, but was blocked on the line by Byrom. Mawson earned his side a point with a string of excellent saves, denying a ricocheting shot from Meynell and a low drive from Meechan that he somehow got down to tip out for a corner. Barlow and Torpey came on, and immediately started causing problems, the latter earning a free kick that Smart smashed through the wall, but was well smothered by Mawson, and Barlow's close range effort was superbly saved by Mawson.

Celtic regained the lead after a clumsy foul by Gray right on the edge of his own box. Ellington curled his shot around the wall, and there was no way Mawson would reach it. Celtic continued to dominate but couldn't convert possession into goals, with Briggs and Keeling both firing well wide. As the game went into stoppage time, Droylsden piled forward and it was a looping ball into the box from Byrom that saw Patterson earn his side a point with an overhead kick that lifted the ball over Phillips and into the top corner.

The point meant that neither side could catch Alfreton or Telford now, and both will go into the final game playing for sixth place.

1Mawson, Craig  
2Brownhill, Liam  
3Newton, SeanYellow Card 
4Halford, SteveRed Card 
5Ruffer, Carl  > 34
6Sorvel, Neil  
7Beck, Steve  > 75
8McGuire, Jamie  
9Gray, Tony  
10Speight, Jake  > 78
11Patterson, Rory  
12Brown, Alex  < 75
14Roche, Lee  
15Byrom, Mike  < 34
16Fitzpatrick, Ian  < 78
17Lamb, Carl  
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