1874 NORTHWICH will not know which emotion to feel after sharing the spoils with Barnoldswick.

Ian Street’s side led 2-0 after half an hour, but played almost all of the second period with 10 men following defender Ryan Mitchell’s dismissal.

It stung to concede a leveller with eight minutes left, when Barlick attacker Aaron Hollindrake doubled his personal tally after reaching a rebound first following goalkeeper Greg Hall’s initial save.

That said, 1874 could take over top spot in the Premier Division table if they beat Cammell Laird on Tuesday and other results are favourable.

They led within seconds on Saturday, when Tom Bailey converted a penalty after Scott McGowan had been fouled by a back-marker.

And the front man thought he had repeated the trick when his free kick appeared to creep in off an upright.

However a linesman’s raised flag cut short his celebration.

1874 did score a second goal after half an hour, when Sam Hind teed up McGowan to steer in from close range by cushioning a cross to the back post into his teammate’s path.

Barnoldswick, victors in four of their previous five league games, responded immediately when Hollindrake’s bullet header left Hall with no chance of making a save.

Referee Dale Baines, after consulting with an assistant, then showed a red card to Mitchell shortly after half time following an incident off the ball while 1874 prepared to defend a set piece.

Street responded by withdrawing McGowan, sending on midfielder Mark Jones.

His players protected their lead until the 82nd minute, when an alert Hollindrake found the net from close range to secure a draw for the home team.

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Russell, Mitchell, Middleton (Rick Bailey 59), Chappell, Wellstead, Matthew Woolley, Tom Bailey (Jack Woolley 86), McGowan (Jones 50), Hind Sub not used James Goals Tom Bailey 1 (penalty), McGowan 31 Booked Russell Sent off Mitchell

Referee Dale Baines

Attendance 166

Additional reporting by Jack Owen