When the season finishes at the end of April we may well be celebrating promotion to the First Division. If we're not, the fact that once again we couldn't protect a lead at home as we entered the last five minutes of a game will stand out as the main reason for failing to go up. This game was the same as the home games with Crook, Easington and Brandon in as much as we were the dominant attacking force in the game but we couldn't hold out to protect the hard earned lead as we entered the dying stages of the game. If the Ref had blown for FT after 85 minutes of these four games we'd have 8 more points and be sitting pretty at the top of the pile, but he didn't and we aren't...... and I guess that's the beauty of the Northern League.

The Stan lined up after an enforced winter absence since Boxing Day ,with Middleton and Laidler returning to the starting eleven in place of Deagle and Holland, there was also a recall to the bench for Club Captain Joe Wear.

The visitors, who are enjoying their best season for years under the canny guidance of Tony Boakes, included former England schoolboy Callum Boakes in their side along with Matty Soulsby who had scored at Grounsell with a superb strike for Tow Law back in August.

The visitors got the game underway attacking the Church End with the pitch in reasonable nick considering the recent weather, however it was the Stan who were straight on the offensive and Salim had the ball in the net after 45 seconds but was flagged for a marginal offside given by the Assisitant who may well of been right but who would have been a lot more convincing if he'd been within 5 yards of play.

The Stan continued to play in Esh's half and it was no surprise to see the bright start rewarded when Imray found Turnbull with a fine crossfield ball and Jake beat his fullback before side footing a finish past Robinson on 7 minutes.

The pressure continued with Wright getting free down the right but he sliced his cross across goal before Salim turned and shot straight at Robinson. The same player was accidentally caught in the face on 14 mins but was able to resume after treatment. Esh grew into the game with Stoker's passing becoming an influence although Smith was yet to be tested in the Stan goal.

Robertson was a constant menace for the Esh back four and he was fouled on the edge of the box on 25 minutes but Wright's Free Kick hit the wall. The Visitors pressed themselves and Hall and Ray both won important tackles but Esh levelled on 32 minutes when Groundry lost Salim at a corner and Reay swept home his nod down from 6 yards with Smith stranded.

Salim almost atoned two minutes later when good work down the left from Robertson set him up inside the box but although his shot beat the keeper it was blocked by Brown on the six yard line.

Wright then beat his man on the right and crossed to the far post but Robertson just couldn't make contact with the goal gaping, and a minute later Wright again turned Swift but this time shot just wide of the angle of bar and far post.

It wasn't all one way traffic however as Esh took a lift from the goal and after Boakes stung Smith's palms with a 25 yard drive, Marley forced a smart save from Matty when allowed space in the box, before the same player then headed a long throw onto the top of the crossbar a minute before Mr Downey blew for half time.

HT: Stan 1 - 1 Esh Winning

As in the first period the Stan were straight on the attack and a suberb cross from Laidler had Robinson all at sea but there was no one following in to take advantage of his fumble, Robertson was then blocked on the 6 yard line as he was about to finish and Salim's follow up from the rebound was saved. The pressure continued with another Wright Free Kick being deflected for a corner which came to nothing, before the Stan fell to a sucker punch on 54 minutes. There didn't seem much danger when a hopeful long ball was delivered out of the Esh half but Groundry was on to it first and he flashed a good finish past the advancing Smith to give Esh the lead.

It could have got worse for the Stan 2 miutes later but Reay hesitated when well placed and his effort was blocked at the expense of a corner which was cleared.

The Stan kept going and had three great chances to equalise in succession on 63 minutes when first Robinson made a good save from Turnbull before Bailey miskicked his volley from the rebound and then, when it was recycled Jon Jon Wright blasted over the top from inside the box.

However the hosts weren't to be denied an equaliser and after Soulsby was booked for a foul on Salim a couple of yards outside the corner of the 18 yard box, Abu took the kick himself and with the defence and keeper expecting a cross he curled a great finish in off the far post to restore parity.

Brown was next to see yellow for Esh on 72 minutes after he took exception to a decision and booted the ball over the stand towards Newton Road, and the Stan made their first change on 75 as Hoggins replaced Robertson. It turned out to be an inspired change by Decka as first a poor defensive header and then a sliced clearance from Swift set up Turnbull, who squared to Hoggins 10 yards out and Richie buried the chance with his first touch of the game on 77 minutes.

The Stan had a great chance to seal the points five minutes later when a deep cross found Jon Jon at the back post but he mishit his volley from 12 yards, the miskick fooled the keeper who fumbled as the ball trickled to him but first Turnbull couldn't get a touch and then Hoggins could only shoot into the side netting as the angle diminished.

The miss was to prove costly as two minutes later Esh Substitute Reece Brown raced onto Stoker's through ball and although Matty blocked his shot with his legs the rebound looped up and over him into the net before Hall could get back to clear to tie the scores at three all.

The Stan pushed for another goal without really creating anything and it was the visitors who finished the game strongly looking for an unlikely winner on the break.

FT: Stan 3 - 3 Esh Winning

Once again the Grounsell crowd had been given excellent value for money and it would be hard to deny Esh their point as they were always in the game and in Stoker, Marley and Groundry had the games three outstanding performers, but at the end of the game the Stan Army were once again left with the feeling of what if....

Weather permitting, our promotion credentials will get a serious examination before we are back at Grounsell as we travel to both of the sides, Tow Law and Northallerton, who are above us in the table......the good news is we've only conceded one late equaliser on our travels this season.

Team 4-4-2 : Smith; Ray, Hall, Middleton, Laidler; Bailey , Imray (C), Turnbull, Salim; Wright , Robertson (Hoggins 75).

Subs Not Used: Wear, McKenna, Jones.

Goals: Turnbull 7, Salim *, Hoggins 77.

Yellow Cards: Wright.

Attendance: 112

Simon Lansley