Merthyr Town 2, Hitchin Town 2
Merthyr Town had a player sent off when they were 2-1 down at Penydarren Park, but still fought back to extend their unbeaten home record for the season.
There was good news after the final whistle with the news that promotion rivals Slough Town had lost 2-1 at relegation threatened Cinderford Town.
The Martyrs are second going into this Saturday’s EvoStik Southern League Premier Division home match against Frome Town.
Manager Gavin Williams made two changes to his starting line-up with new signing Jack Compton and Jarrad Wright both called up.
Compton, who has joined Merthyr on loan from Newport County, made his home debut in place of Ryan Prosser, while Wright took over from Kyle Copp in midfield.
Hitchin had the first scoring chance when a low corner to the edge of the penalty area was met with a shot which had to be cleared off the line at the far post.
Merthyr were losing possession too easily at times, but they created an opening of their own after nine minutes when Ian Traylor’s shot was clear off the line by a Hitchin defender.
The visitors looked sharp in defence, but Merthyr took the lead with a good goal when the ball was played across from the right to Compton just inside the area. He fired in a shot which went off goalkeeper Michael Johnson and inside a post.
Merthyr then had their best spell of the game, but were unable to work another opening and Hitchin came again, winning a couple of corners. The second of those, after 24 minutes, led to the equaliser when Liam Brooks put the ball into the net off the near post from 10 yards.
Hitchin then had the edge, but the Martyrs did fire a couple of efforts on goal. Kayne McLaggon put a tame shot straight at the keeper, and Wright went close with an effort which flew a yard wide.
Compton had had a good first half for Merthyr on his home debut, showing an ability to cross the ball from tight situations, but after the break he and Ian Traylor switched wings in an attempt to break down the Hitchin full-backs which proved to be difficult against a relatively organised defence.
There was a scrappy start to the second half from both sides, not helped by the conditions with rain sweeping down the ground in a strong, swirling wind.
The Martyrs continued to look out of sorts and they conceded a second goal from a corner after 58 minutes. This time the ball landed in the goalmouth and Hitchin defender Dan Webb put it straight into the net.
Merthyr immediately made their first substitution with Traylor going off to be replaced by Prosser.
They then sent on Eliot Richards for Scott Tancock after 68 minutes,aiming to inject more urgency into midfield. Wright switched from the middle to defence, taking over from Tancock at the back with Richards given the task of setting Merthyr on the attack.
At 2-1 down Merthyr found themselves facing an even bigger task when Scott Barrow was sent off after becoming embroiled in in an incident with Hitchin midfielder Callum Donnelly after a tackle in midfield.
There was something of a melee with several players involved with the referee quickly showing a red card to Barrow.
Merthyr then made their final substitution with Kayne McLaggon replaced by Corey Jenkins.
Hitchin showed little interest in pressing forward, but they should have been in a position to see the game out against 10 men.
It was Curtis McDonald who helped set up the equaliser when he crossed from the left after 85 minutes. The goalkeeper somehow clawed Prosser’s effort away, but the ball ran loose.
Prosper and Jenkins were in quickly and the latter scored from 10 yards. Hitchin hooked the ball away, but a linesman indicated the ball had cross the line.
In the closing minutes the game could then have gone either way. Adam Davies put over a good cross from the right which Prosser headed just wide of the far post, while Wright made a saving clearance from a Hitchin attack.
Then, three minutes into injury time, Merthyr almost grabbed what would have been an amazing victory when another cross from Davies found Prosser again and this time his header hit a post.
Although not at their best, Merthyr showed great character in recovering to earn a point and retain their unbeaten home record.