The goals in this game came within three minutes of each other early in the second period, but from very early on this game had shown every likelihood of ending as a draw.

These two teams had faced each other in the season opener when Port had pulled off an outstanding victory and so this represented the first opportunity for a double. This was not to be, however, in a scrappy game where the home side matched the usual strong physical presence of the visitors.

A strong wind made both passing and controlling difficult and this led to an untidy opening quarter. The best of the early chances came the way of the Deeside visitors as they played with the strong wind at their backs. After 10 minutes Emrys Williams was turned by the experienced Stuart Rain but Gareth Owen's cross raced untouched across the Port goalmouth and two minutes later Hutchinson shot wide after receiving a deflected ball in the box. Gerard McGuigan made an excellent save diving low to keep out Tommy Mutton.

Port weathered the early pressure and Gareth Parry and Danny Hughes in midfield and Mark Williams up front began to stamp their presence on the game. Gareth Caughter after 21 minutes tested keeper Andy Hughes following an excellent build-up involving front men and midfield. On the half-hour mark Port could well have taken the lead when keeper Hughes failed to gather under pressure and Danny Hughes for Port could not capitalise as he appeared to have been held back by the beaten visitors keeper as he was about to shoot. The claims for a penalty were waved away by referee AD Woodthorpe who made several strange decisions during the afternoon.

Towards the end of the half the visitors came back into the game and Horan headed wide from a corner and Tommy Mutton burst past Webber on the left but was foiled by a well time Foster tackle. The referee once more waved away penalty claims when Mutton for Connah's Quay broke wide into the box appealing that he had been brought down by Emrys Williams.

Early in the second-half the two goals came. In the 52nd minute George Horan rose unchallenged at the far post to head Andy Griffiths' right wing corner past McGuigan. The lead did not survive long for within three minutes visitors keeper Andy Hughes misjudged the bounce of Mike Foster's long ball and Danny Hughes was on hand, and this time nothing deterred him from placing the ball in the net.

That proved to be the end of the scoring and there were few if any clear chances during the remainder of the game. Andy Griffiths shot wide after a cross from the right and Mutton went close following a good run by Griffiths. At the other end a Gareth Parry block almost ended up in the back of the net while Carl Owen lifted his shot over the bar after a tantalising run by Steve Pugh down the right.

In the end both sides will be happy to take a point each from the game and for the first time this season Port have shared the spoils in a league match.

Port: Gerard McGuigan, John G Jones, Emrys Williams, Lee Webber, MikeFoster, Danny Hughes, Dafydd Evans, Gareth Parry (Ritchie Owen), GarethCaughter (Steve Pugh), Mark Williams, Tony Williams (Carl Owen).
Connah's Quay: Andy Hughes, Steve Hopkins, Nicky Brookman, Craig Hutchinson, George Horan, Paul Mazzarella, Andy Griffiths, Tommy Mutton, Stuart Rain, Jon Kenworthy, Gareth Owen. Subs: Robbie Chesters, Mark Highman, Stuart Terry.

Report by Gareth Williams