TADCASTER Albion provided supporters an early Christmas present after stretching their unbeaten run to four in a 1-1 draw against leaders Golcar.

After Callum Petch had fired the leaders in front at the Young Guns Arena prior to half-time, league and Tadcaster top scorer Elliott Andrew rescued a point with a back post equaliser.

Before kick-off, there was a minute-long applause in honour of Barton Town goalkeeper James Hitchcock, who was tragically killed at York railway Station on Wednesday.

After an even start, it took nearly half an hour before the first actual chance, when Alfie Wilkinson attempted a flick towards goal at the near post, forcing Sam Green to make a difficult save to parry the ball away. It was the Taddy shot-stopper again on 32 minutes getting down well to deny Petch.

Albion’s first real opportunity came on 37 minutes with Oli Norman battled two defenders in the box but could not get a shot away. Elliot Holmes then appeared to be fouled in the Golcar area but nothing was given by the referee.

Eventually though, Golcar took the lead just three minutes before the break: Petch pounced onto a weak back pass some 25-yards out and despite Green’s immediate dash to narrow the angle, the forward coolly placed the ball into the top right corner before running into the away fans in celebration.

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Tadcaster were right back into action as the second-half kicked off, with Green making another great fingertip save not long after the restart, pushing the ball over the crossbar after a free kick by Nicky Clee from 30-yards out.

At this point Tadcaster were struggling to break down the Golcar backline, as their full-backs especially put in a great shift all game. However, the Brewers did produce one clear cut chance on 57 minutes as a piercing through ball from Fatlum Ibrahimi found Charlie Owen beating the full-back and into the box, but his shot met with a great save by keeper, Stead.

Luca Bolino created a golden chance for Andrew after being introduced, crossing the ball to the striker unmarked in the box, but his volley sailed wide of the post.

Tadcaster Albion were in the festive mood. (Image: Keith Handley) With 15 minutes to go, and after another tense period for both sides, Golcar had the ball in the net with a rebounded strike, but it was quickly disallowed for offside.

It was a wake-up call for the home side, who immediately retaliated: Andrew Shepherd put a glorious pass to Bolino, but Harry Stead was equal to the goalbound shot. Nevertheless, Andrew was waiting to pounce in the box and smashed the ball home off the upright for a dramatic equaliser.

One more chance came Golcar’s way, Green made the best save of the match as he made a reflex save to stop Rico Kilbourn’s header from nestling into the back of the net - a save of the season contender!

Tadcaster now see themselves four points away from ninth place in the league although they have played more games than the teams above them. Golcar remain top but just one point ahead of Silsden who have a game in hand.

Andrew’s goal also puts him joint top league scorer in all competitions.

The Brewers next match on the last Saturday of the year is away to bottom club Goole (3pm), at the Victoria Pleasure Ground.

TADCASTER ALBION: Green, Owen, Wilson (Cassius-Gill, 74), Thirkell, Heaton, Holmes, Greenway (Bolino, 62), F.Ibrahimi (Shepherd, 69), Andrew, Kitchen, Norman (A.Ibrahimi, 89)