BEECHFIELD United earned themselves a creditable 1-1 draw with runaway Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League first division leaders Dukinfield Town on Saturday.

And second-placed Beechfield came agonisingly close to picking up all three points with Dukinfield scoring a fortunate equalising goal on the 87th minute mark.

Beechfield took the lead on 74 minutes via a classic move involving Karl Henshaw and Anthony Weall that ended with Trevor Walsh holding off his marker and hammering the ball into the roof of the net.

With David Walker and Danny Rowcroft working hard in midfield, United had some other good chances to score in the second half. But Dukinfield dominated the first half with Beechfield being indebted to several fine saves from goalkeeper and man of the match Paul Bentley.

Beechfield’s reserve side retained top spot in Division Three thanks to a stunning 7-2 home win over Breightmet United reserves. Their net finders were Callum Wilkinson (3), Steven Griffiths (2), Mike Leach and Andy Traverse while the man of the match award was shared between Griffiths and Leach.

Beechfield’s A team lost their mid-table derby battle with Fives Athletic reserves 3-2 in Division Four. Both teams played well on what was a partially frozen pitch but Fives came out on top thanks to a cooly taken 80th minute penalty from Ben Chaffe.

Jack Duffy was adjudged to have been brought down inside the area and Fives’ other goal scorers were Dave Buffy and Mark Little.

Beechfield twice held the lead in the game with their goals coming via Steven Crowe and Jonathan Kennedy. Their man of the match was Dan Blackman.