Halesowen 1, Stamford 1

HALESOWEN'S search for their first home league win of the season goes on after they conceded an injury time equaliser against Stamford today.

The Yeltz had looked like ending their poor form at The Grove when Ben Haseley came off the bench to head home in the 85th minute.

However, Stanford secured an away point when Ryan Clarke headed a leveller three minutes into injury time.

Manager John Hill's new 4-1-4-1 formation made sure Hales were well in the contest and enjoyed most of the possession as the game drew on. Only a lack of cutting edge in the final third seemed to be holding them back.

The first half lacked any clear cut opportunities for Town, who had to settle for efforts from the edge of the Stamford box.

The homes side's best moment came from the willing runs of lone forward Iyseden Christie. He twice had penalty shouts turned down and looked to link well with the hard-working Tom Tonks, who looked to join the striker from the midfield when the chance arose.

The best opportunity of a close first half fell to the visitors.

Tom McGowen drilled wide from just eight yards with just keeper Sargeant to beat.

The second half proved another even affair.

One of Halesowen's best moment saw Tonks link up with Christie before firing wide of the Stamford goal.

Hill showed his intent to claim his team's first three home points this campaign when he threw on attackers Haseley and Robert Thompson-Brown with 20 minutes left on the clock.

It was the substitutes that combined to put the Yeltz within reach of that elusive first home win with just five minutes remaining.

Tonks' looping cross was kept alive at the far post by Thompson-Brown for Haseley to guide a neat header in at the near post.

However, heatbreak was soon to follow when the Hales defence failed to deal with a late Stamford corner.

Clarke rose to head through a crowded goal-mouth to maintain Halesowen's home misery.

Halesowen: Sargeant, Green, Griffiths, Forde, Hull (c), Tilt, Kettle, Tonks, Christie (Haseley 69), Mackenzie (Lait 82), Turner (Thompson-Brown 69). Unused subs: Robinson, Charlton.

Stamford: Stevens, Richards (Lawlor 72), Fox, Carr, Jones (c) (McGowen 18), Clarke, Challinor, Nwadike, Smith, Shariff, Robbins. Unused subs: Bettles, Staff.

Att: 400