TWO of the North Shropshire sides competing in the NWCFL First Division South faced each other in an entertaining fixture on Tuesday night.

FC Oswestry Town and St Martins came into the game next to each other in the league table with the same number of points on the board after 24 games.

Town took the lead three times during the game, but the Saints refused to be beaten, coming from behind on three occasions to ensure they took a point on the evening.

The sides remain on the same points in the middle of the table but are both certainly not out of reach of a high finish this season.

A fast-paced start to the game treated spectators to two goals in the opening quarter of an hour.

It was 1-0 to Town after just 12 minutes – the referee pointed to the spot after a loose ball in the penalty area drew a foul from George Durrell.

Ryan Jones stepped up and calmly put his side ahead.

The lead didn’t last long however, with the Saints responding with a goal of their own after just three minutes.

A corner for St Martins was cleared to the edge of the penalty area and eventually reached captain Josh Parker, whose floated cross towards the back post was met by the oncoming Brendon Price who fired his header across into the far corner.

The hectic start didn’t show signs of showing, and another goal came just before the half an hour mark.

A long ball up the field found its way to the feet of Liam Parry who showed great desire to battle for the ball, before curling his effort from outside the box in at the near post to give Town a 2-1 lead.

Again, it was an almost instant response from St Martins, who scored just six minutes later with a spot kick of their own.

A long free-kick into the box caused disruption for the Town defence, and Jamie Hands was brought down which meant the referee pointed to the spot.

Hands took the penalty after winning it and slotted the ball into the left-hand corner to bring the score level again.

To wrap up an exciting first half, Town scored for a third time to send themselves into the break with a one-goal advantage.

A well-worked quick free-kick on the left side of the pitch was delivered low into the box and led to a scramble in the six-yard box, which was eventually headed in by Owen Lloyd.

The Saints wasted no time in bringing themselves level again in the second half, with Price finding the net again after 10 minutes.

A cross from Callum Bennett was not dealt with by the Town defence, and after several blocked attempts, Price eventually found space and fired into the net for his second of the evening.

Late into the game it looked as though Town might’ve grabbed a winner when a close-range header for Town was denied by an excellent save by George Austin.

The sides took away a point each after an entertaining exhibition for local football.

FC Oswestry Town next face Eccleshall at Park Hall Stadium on Friday, January 11 (kick off 8pm) while St Martins are in action on Saturday, January 12 away at Alsager Town (kick off 3pm).