DESPITE dominating Saturday’s game for long periods Barnston AFC failed to convert numerous chances into goals as they drew 1-1 with Kirby Athletic.

Both teams arrived at High Easter Road on just one point after two games and sitting low down in the Essex and Suffolk Border League Division One.

Desperate for the win, Barnston surged forward in the opening 20 minutes creating chance after chance courtesy of lively wingers Jay Haberland and Adam Emery.

But lacking the clinical finish they found themselves out of luck as moments after Emery had hit the crossbar when well placed Kirby took the lead by sweeping the ball home on the counter-attack.

The one-nil score line did nothing to dampen the Barnston onslaught however as they struck back within minutes as Emery made up for his earlier miss by meeting a cross at the far post to score a deserved equaliser.

Kirby struggled to get out of their half for the remainder as Barnston’s fitness, sharpness, and good use of the ball caused constant problems.

After the break it was more of the same. Chances came and went, substitutions were made but the blues couldn’t break down a stubborn Kirby defence.

A winning goal beckoned on the hour mark as within seconds of coming on substitute Tim Shaw found himself unmarked in the box but he headed narrowly over.

Kirby managed one more real attempt at goal, a blistering shot destined to go just inside the post only for goalkeeper Jack Welton to pull of a wonderful finger tip save and push the ball on to the post.

Kirby clung onto frustrate the home side with more resolute defending until time ran out with the game unevenly poised at 1-1.

Although happy with the performance it was not so much a point gained for the blues, but two lost.

This coming Saturday sees Barnston travel to Coggeeshall Town for a League Cup tie, kicking off at 3pm.