HALSTEAD Town held runaway Essex Senior League leaders Enfield to a 2-2 draw, writes KEN GILLIARD.

The Humbugs returned to action following several recent postponements still looking over their shoulder having not completely eased relegation concerns.

The hosts made a couple of enforced changes, with Jordan Crisell in goal in place of the injured Jack Cherry and Jake Brown starting for first time since returning from injury, replacing the recently departed Michael Brothers.

Halstead fell behind within the first 30 seconds when Gavin Cockman headed home Solomon Ofori's cross, getting a thump on the head in the progress.

The Humbugs then had to make a change as Tom White couldn’t continue and was replaced by Jordan Palmer.

Halstead's first chance came on 15 minutes as a half clearance fell to Palmer, whose scuffed effort allowed the defender to block and clear.

At the other end,the ever-dangerous Ofori got the other side of the defence but Crisell tipped the ball around the far post.

Halstead equalised in the 23rd minute when a long ball into the box was chested down by Palmer into Alfie Cleal’s path and he stuck it home at the second attempt.

It was the hosts who had momentum and a break from Blackwell saw him lob the advancing keeper but centre-back Jack Grosvenor covered and cleared the danger.

The game was highly competitive with play switching from end to end and Halstead threatened a couple of times, with Joel Older getting the keeper scrambling to touch round the post and then skipper Jack Schelvis headed over from the resultant corner.

Ofori almost flicked home at the near post for Enfield before he finally netted just before half-time when he broke the back-line and diverted the ball into the net with Crisall coming off his line, with any handball claims dismissed.

Halstead went in at the break behind and the second half started in a similar fashion, with play switching end to end.

Ed Plackett's effort on the turn looped over the bar and at the other end, a defensive mix-up saw Greene slide his effort wide when he should have done better, after running down on goal.

On 63 minutes Halstead deservedly equalised as Plackett's superb diagonal ball was headed on by Palmer, allowing Older to side-foot home and set up an exciting last half an hour.

Greene's effort was chalked off for offside before Halstead enjoyed another very good period.

Robbie Bennett found himself in the middle of box but as he turned and shot a defender slid in and blocked his effort, before an incident in the 82nd minute caused controversy.

Older's corner was headed goalwards by Brown and Halstead were convinced they had bundled the ball over the line.

However, the referee and his assistant didn’t agree and in the fracas that followed, Brown was shown a yellow card.

The tension was palpable in the final minutes but Halstead celebrated their point at full-time, knowing that they could well have picked up all three on another day.