Hebburn Town battled their way to a 1-1 draw with National League North rivals Harborough Town on Saturday afternoon.

Daniel Moore was left with mixed emotions after Hebburn Town FC battled from a goal down to earn a home point against National League North rivals Harborough Town.

After a quiet opening half-hour that brought little in the way of goalscoring opportunities, the visitors grabbed the lead with a goal that had Hebburn rueing their misfortune for two separate reasons. There was understandable annoyance and frustration when referee Joe Moss awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area despite defender Matthew Elsdon making clear contact with the ball as he challenged striker Riley O’Sullivan. The Hornets anger was further compounded when Jacobs’ free-kick struck the wall and wrong-footed the helpless Aidan Harris before nestling inside his far post.

Matthew Elsdon celebrates after scoring Hebburn Town's equaliser in their home draw with Harborough Town (photo Tyler Lopes) | Tyler Lopes

placeholder image — Matthew Elsdon celebrates after scoring Hebburn Town's equaliser in their home draw with Harborough Town (photo Tyler Lopes) | Tyler Lopes

Hebburn’s best opportunity to grab an equaliser came just seconds before half-time when some fine wing play from on-loan Hartlepool United youngster Campbell Darcy brought a dangerous cross that was headed wide by the onrushing Ethan Wood.

However, a slight tactical tweak at half-time set the foundations for a much improved second-half performance as Moore and his coaching staff got their rewards thanks to an equaliser from Elsdon. The centre-back found space at the far post and he was allowed to meet a Wood cross from the right and fire beyond visitors stopper Elliott Taylor.

Hebburn had chances to claim all three points in the closing stages - but they had to settle for a point as their manager reflected on an afternoon of contrasting emotions.

He told The Gazette: “On the second-half performance, we should have won the game. It was a battle, they’re looking for points, so are we - and it was all about first and second balls and I felt they did better than us in that regard. I said that at half-time and I don’t think the players could have done too much more to win the game. I’ve got to look at it as a point gained because points are hard to come by in this league - but when you’ve had that much of a second-half, you feel you should have won and we maybe should have.”

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