TADCASTER Albion were held to a 2-2 draw with Thackely at the So-Trak Stadium after goals from Junayd Cassius-Gill and Olly Norman.

The game opened with both teams cautiously feeling their way in the freezing conditions with the first Albion attack seeing Cassius-Gill floating a long cross from the left over the visitors defence but with just a little too much power for Kieran Greenway in the box.

Norman then set Cassius-Gill on his way, his 20-yarder deflected for a corner from which Tad almost opened the score with Thackley heading the ball onto the cross bar. Another corner from Keiran Greenway was met by Dan Thirkell but his bicycle kick went wide.

With twenty minutes played Finn Donovan unleashed a spectacular low drive from well outside the box, but Joe Wilton was down in an instant gathering the ball at the second attempt. Cassius-Gill was flattened by Hudson who was fortunate to escape with just a word from referee Kent.

The Brewers took the lead on 31 minutes with a training pitch move; Greenway’s corner was flicked back by Dan McDaid to the incoming Cassius-Gill who, from just outside the box, slammed it low and hard through a melee of legs and into the back of the net to hand Tadcaster their lead.

The lead regrettably did not last long as on 33 minutes Thackley were level, a loose ball seized on by Tom Greaves with an inch perfect lob over Wilton.

With half time beckoning Norman collected Cody Collins pinpoint pass to open up the opposition with a drive across the six-yard area but there was nobody ready to convert.

In the very last minute of the half skipper Dan McDaid put through a curling corner but Thirkell’s header was well defended at close range as the visitors broke through at speed with three on one against Wilton; Charlie Owen, sensing the danger , put in a breathtaking last-ditch tackle as he raced back. A game saver to send the teams in level for the interval.

Luke Stewart was on for Hines as the game got back under way and on 48 minutes had the ball in the net but adjudged off side by the officials.

Greaves then brought out a good save from Wilton with his legs, whilst Albion broke quickly with Cassius-Gill finding the back of the net, but alas, again offside.

On 59 minutes the Dennyboys were awarded a rightly disputed penalty for what looked like nothing more than defensive play in the box - Greaves sent Wilton the wrong way.

Almost immediately there was payback at the other end. Norman was clattered on the edge of the box, dusting himself down he sent Luke Wilson in the wrong direction to draw the scores level.

Wilton made a good save just passed the hour mark as Ellison-Tope closed in on a one on one. It was Ellison-Tope again on 69 mins, putting Parsons away but Kitchen was there with a timely interception.

Collins effort on 76 minutes was well saved by Wilson whilst Fatlum Ibrahimi went wide from well outside of the box. Ellison-Tope replied with a good shot well saved by Wilton.

Both teams were throwing everything at each other trying to find the elusive winner as the game entered its final five minutes. McDaid was yellow carded as was substitute Adam Jones for flooring Norman in the box although his penalty shout was in vain.

Sam Kay was on for Greenway, and Roper for Norman as time ebbed away. Right at the finish, Ellison Tope had a chance but drilled the ball over.

A pulsating encounter – a fair result against the play-off contenders, and tremendous applause from the home crowd as the players left the pitch.

Next Tuesday Tadcaster entertain Barton Town in another league match, kicking off at 7.45pm.

Tadcaster Albion: Wilton, Owen, Thirkell, Collins, McDaid, Ibrahimi, Kitchen, Norman (Roper) , Greenway (Kay), Cassius-Gill (Dixon), Jordan (Stewart)

Subs Not Used: Hardcastle