SELBY Town kicked off their Northern Counties East League (NCEL) division one season season with a solid 1-1 draw at newcomers Rainworth Miners Welfare, writes Garry Mollon.

Selby came from behind to secure the point as Harry Clapham's first competitive goal for Town equalised after Craig Mitchell's opener.

The game was certainly one of two halves, with the Robins appearing disjointed in the first period but showed a marked improvement in the second half.

Selby were on the backfoot early on, with a troublesome crosswind and a physical Rainworth side to contend with.

Town goalkeeper Dylan Parkin denied the hosts an opener in the opening stages as he palmed a hopeful lob onto the crossbar.

Clapham was Selby's main danger man at the other end. After seeing a penalty appeal turned away, he went close with a strike well stopped by keeper Warren Squires.

The home goalkeeper also tipped a Kane Rogerson effort over the bar while the Selby forward's free-kick caused panic at the back.

On 26 minutes though, it was Rainworth who took the lead. A long free-kick from the left was headed back into the Selby six-yard box and Mitchell was on hand to provide the finish.

Rainworth immediately went in search of a second goal and were only prevented from one by a tremendous goal-line block from Harry Sheppard.

Before half-time, there was more last-ditch defending from Selby, with Luke Sellars making a fantastic block in the goalmouth.

After the restart, the Robins appeared in a better frame of mind and it was the pacy Clapham who continued to cause problems.

He soared clear down the right and his cross was volleyed inches wide by Rogerson.

The Rainworth backline resorted to multiple fouls on Clapham and, having left defenders in his wave, he earned Selby another set-piece

Liam Flanagan saw his strike pushed over the bar by the now over-worked Squires.

Charlie Clamp drove into the penalty area and was upended, but saw his penalty shouts ignored by the referee.

A dozen minutes from the finish, Selby finally got the rewards for their endeavours.

The ball was pushed through the penalty area and Clapham pounced to prod in at the far post and claim a goal deserving of his contribution.

Town pushed on for a winner, with Rainworth hardly troubling Parkin at the other end.

Flynn McNaughton saw a shot whistle past the upright while Clamp hit over the bar from considerable distance.

In the final moments, Squires again came to the home side's rescue when his knee diverted a Rogerson shot at the near post.