Stourbridge 1, Halesowen 1.

HALESOWEN came from behind to earn a share of the spoils from a scrappy derby clash with rivals Stourbridge.

James Roberts cancelled out Luke Benbow’s second half opener at a packed War Memorial Ground.

It was a number 9 derby that never really hit top gear as the Yeltz disrupted the hosts for long spells, especially during a dour first half.

Stour were dealt an early blow as winger Callum Powell pulled up in midfield and had to be replaced by Keiman Anderson.

That change didn’t help the hosts and chances were at a premium early on as both sides battled for a foothold in the derby.

The first sight at goal came from the visitors as James Hurst saw an effort from range deflected over James Wren’s bar after 14 minutes.

Stour still hadn’t got their passing game going by the half hour mark as Hales dug in and picked up the loose balls.

It took until 34 minutes for them to worry the visiting backline as Luke Benbow drilled a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the box after neat build up down the right.

Ahmed Ali should have done better with a far post header following a Yeltz corner on 36 minutes but both keepers remained untroubled until the break.

Stour put the scrappy first half behind them as they came quickly out the traps in the second period.

They worked the first effort of the half as Robbie Thompson-Brown powered a half volley wide from 25 yards out after just four minutes.

Aaron Hayden then headed just over the bar from a Greg Mills ball from the left as the home side kept the pressure on.

They did break the deadlock just past the hour mark when Benbow took advantage of a Yeltz mix up at the back.

Bragoli dwelt on the ball in the right-back position and played a pass to Matt Baker in a tight area as Mills put the pressure on. The ball ran for Benbow who finished neatly past the outrushing Dan Platt.

However, it took Hales just four minutes to make amends for the error. They levelled matters when Roberts scrambled the ball home after Lee Hughes’ pass was directed into his path by the advanced Ali.

Both sides then swapped efforts from range in the final 10 minutes. Roberts and Ivor Lawton tested James Wren before Aaron Forde forced Platt to gather.

Sub Brad Birch nearly bagged a winner deep into injury time but saw his drive deflected narrowly over the bar as honours remained even.

Stourbridge: Wren, Hayden, Brown, McCone (c), Duggan (Pierpoint 68), Forde, Powell (Anderson 8), Broadhurst, Benbow, Thompson-Brown (Birch 80), Mills.

Unused subs: Westlake, Maher.

Halesowen: Platt, Bragoli (c) (Gilpin 69), Kelly, Ali, Baker, Charlton, Hurst, Rea (Agustien 45), Hughes (Ebanks-Blake 72), Roberts, Lawton.

Unused subs: Goddard, Ekongo.

Att: 1,733.