Marton-cum-Grafton 1, Menston Rangers 1

A series of missed chances saw Menston Rangers draw with the Harrogate and District League's bottom club on Saturday.

With four of the previous week's 14 unavailable there were rare starts for Mark George and Richard Wintle, and goalkeeper Simon Wintle returned after injury.

Menston started brightly enough and took an early lead. Harry Bond's through ball found Richard Wintle, who drew the 'keeper before squaring the ball to give leading scorer Scott Warbrick an easy tap in. Wintle looked lively throughout the early stages, firing over after a sharp turn and screwing another effort just wide.

For much of the first-half the football played by both sides was poor. Marton did not show the same intensity as they had on their visit to Queensway, and their play did much to show why they are at the foot of the table.

Their rare forays forward were easily dealt with by the Menston back line. For their part Menston promised much but never extended the home 'keeper.

Marton gained an equaliser before half-time. A free-kick was needlessly conceded on the Menston right, and a good curling effort left Simon Wintle floundering.

There were now times that both teams looked to be treating the game as the stroll in the park the weather conditions were ideally suited to.

The second-half again began poorly, though Menston gradually gained the upper hand. Richard Dickinson and Mark George started to open up the left side but Menston could not find a finish. Craig Wood tried his luck from distance several times as he sought to score his first since the corresponding fixture last season.

Gez Haughihan and Richard Wintle both went close, while Richard Dickinson and Scott Warbrick both put the ball past the post with only the 'keeper to beat. At the other end, Simon Wintle had to be sharp to keep the scores level after Harry Bond split his own defence.

For the second consecutive game Menston returned with only one point against opposition they would have expected to beat handsomely. They are now embroiled in what looks to be a five way chase for third place in the league, a position which they really should have wrapped up by now.

The games now come thick and fast with Park Row the visitors to Queensway tonight, Thursday, a crunch match against fellow promotion hopefuls Boroughbridge on Saturday and the Spa Cup final against Ripon City Magnets on Tuesday at Kirk Deighton. A turnaround in form will be needed if the season which promised so much is not to end in a disappointing manner.