ENGLAND goalkeeper Gil Merrick proved a thorn in Town’s side as he kept them at bay as Birmingham City took a point from their visit to Leeds Road.

Town went into the 1953 Division II fixture second in the table behind Sheffield United, but fifth-placed Birmingham also had their own promotion aspirations and went away with some reward from the 1-1 draw.

It was a notable day for Town’s Don McEvoy, who was married just two hours before the match but took his usual place at centre half, however it was to be Merrick who proved to be the best man.

The first half was goalless, but it was City who took the lead on 55 minutes when Northern Ireland international left half Ray Ferris scored.

Merrick then made a string of outstanding saves to deny Ian Duthie, Roy Shiner and Jimmy Glazzard as Town went all out for an equaliser.

But in the end the England keeper was finally beaten when Glazzard headed in the leveller five minutes from time.

Town: Wheeler, Staniforth, Kelly, McGarry, McEvoy, Quested, Duthie, Davie, Glazzard, Shiner, Metcalfe.

Birmingham: Merrick, Hall, Green, Bannister, Badham, Warhurst, Stewart, Cochrane, Trigg, Ferris, Wardle.

Referee: R Lewis (Northampton)

Attendance: 28,636

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