Pool 2 Otley Town 2

Pool snatched a West Yorkshire Premier Division point in the closing minutes after playing with ten men for much of the game.

Sam McCaffrey was shown a red card after just 17 minutes for a foul tackle on Ben Dexter, but his colleagues battled away and earned a share of the spoils.

Otley had a chance to take the lead after 23 minutes when the ever-dangerous Scott Cater found space and hit a fierce shot from 18 yards which flashed just over bar.

Town tried to seek openings with their passing game but Pool soaked up the pressure .

Otley’s best opportunity came when full back Paul Harrison got down left and hit a great far-post cross to Sam Dexter, who put his effort wide when he should have scored.

There was an increasing sense of frustration in Otley’s ranks at half-time as the veteran goalkeeper Paul Newsome kept blocking their shots.

The second half started in similar fashion until Pool took the lead. Michael Jordan floated the kick in and Charlie Oakey shot passed Gavin Phelps in the Town goal.

Otley responded straight away. The ball was passed neatly through midfield and found Scott Cater on the right hand edge of the Pool box. Rather than crossing he hit an unstoppable shot past Newsome.

Further pressure saw Ben Greenhow have a header saved by Newsome after another great cross from Harrison.

Cater looked to have scored when he chipped Newsome but somehow the keeper fingertipped it over the bar, but Greenhow did when he netted from Harrison’s cross.

With three minutes to go Pool equalised when Michael White netted from a free kick.

There was still time for Otley substitute Fred Ash missed from three yards out as a low cross eluded everybody in the penalty area. It meant that honours were even after a battle in the wind and rain.

Town are at home to Carlton on Saturday.