Windscale picked up another point on their Wearside League travels but were potentially denied all three when Annfield Plain equalised with a contentious decision by one of the assistant referees.
The goal stood but Windscale had a player sin-binned as a result of his response to the decision, but the West Cumbrians were still able to play out a 2-2 draw.
It was the home side, who have failed to win against the Atoms in their last five meetings, who started the better, moving the ball well around the pitch.
Windscale, with a squad heavy with defenders due to player availability, gradually came to terms with their game plan.
The Atoms began to produce some good play from midfield with Ryan Gray and Reece Fretwell particularly involved while Jack Wordsworth delivered some dangerous balls into the Annfield penalty box.
It was the Atoms who took the lead after 21 minutes. A ball from the right found Wordsworth unmarked around eight yards from goal and he made no mistake in heading the ball into the net beyond Annfield keeper Ian Costello.
The hosts responded shortly after to level the scores with a goal from John Palmer. The defender slicing his cross into the box, the trajectory of the ball deceiving everyone to finally rest in the back of the Atoms goal.
Elliot Lowrie almost restored the Atoms lead with a carbon copy of Wordsworth’s goal, unfortunately he was unable to find the target as his headed effort just cleared the crossbar to leave the score 1-1 at the break.
Windscale took the lead in the contest again four minutes into the second period. Lowrie sent in a low cross to Will Rooke who, after beating the first defender, slipped the ball beyond Costello.
Annfield Plain kept probing, creating a few half chances, particularly involving Connor Brown who was involved in most things that Plain constructed. However, these were competently dealt with by the Atoms rear-guard, with Dan Morgan in particular stamping his authority when under threat.
There was an unsavoury incident on the hour mark following a tussle involving Wordsworth who appeared to be stamped on whilst on the ground, and a full-scale brawl ensued. Yellow cards were issued, but the assistant referee who was adjacent to the incident, failed to report the stamping.
To add to Windscale’s displeasure Annfield Plain gained parity contentiously in the 71st minute, with the assistant referee coming to the fore again.
Plain substitute Kai Hewitson evaded Sam Denwood’s tackle to find himself one on one with Atoms keeper Fin Stephenson. He fired in a powerful shot from ten yards, the ball subsequently thudding against the crossbar bouncing down to ricochet back into play around the penalty spot.
The referee, who was well positioned waved on play, but his assistant who was recovering his position from the long ball forward, raised his flag to award the goal.
Overall though the draw was well earned by the Atoms who travelled with nine defenders and a goal keeper in their party. They return to the Falcon on Wednesday evening to take on Bishop Auckland Reserves, the game kicking off at 7.45pm.
Hear Stephen Fawcett’s views below:
