Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division: Albion Sports 4 Harrogate Railway Athletic 4

ALBION Sports took the lead three times but still needed a late equaliser to claim a point from the visit of Harrogate Railway Athletic in an eight-goal thriller last night.

The Albion Lions may be a lot higher than the Rail in the table but Harrogate were only relegated from the Evo-Stik League last term and still have a strong squad.

Four of the goals came in the opening quarter of the fast-paced game at Throstle Nest, with the home side breaking the deadlock after just six minutes, with Danny Facey opening the scoring from close range after Karl Hall supplied the assist.

The visitors’ former Leeds United youth forward Chris Ovington hit back in the 13th minute with a shot from distance that clipped the post on its way in but Albion retook the lead soon after when Devonte Morton slotted in after a crisp passing move.

Harrogate’s former Bantams’ youth David Brown then hit the visitors’ second equaliser from close range as he converted a cross from Steve Bromley.

After the break, Albion’s Lions edged in front when another good passing move led to Omar Habeeb netting through a forest of legs in the area, but again the home side were pegged back as Bromley levelled the scores.

The Rail snatched the lead for the first time in the game four minutes later when Albion skipper Asif Hussain fouled Brown inside the area in the 64th minute, and the forward picked himself up before netting from the spot.

Facey also bagged a brace and the home side’s talisman’s goal was the last of the evening as he was picked out by another good pass from Hall.

Albion applied a lot of pressure in the final quarter-hour and had a strong penalty appeal waved away after Rhys Jenkinson appeared to have been impeded by former Lions midfielder Jordan Hendrie, and they had a good chance deep into injury time but Habeeb failed to get clean contact on his header.

Liversedge's trip to Bottesford Town in the same division was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.