AFC EMLEY’S chances of promotion for the Northern Counties East League’s first division were kept alive by a spirited 3-3 draw at Cleethorpes Town.

However, the visitors had to battle back from behind three times to claim their point.

Cleethorpes gained the lead on three minutes when a strong challenge in midfield robbed Anthony Haigh of the ball and Town’s Marc Cooper volleyed past Paul Day in the Emley goal.

Emley were back on terms on 20 minutes when, from a corner, striker Steven Kenworthy managed to force the ball home.

The home side regained the lead on 42 minutes when a Daniel Barrett free-kick was missed by everyone and unmarked Matthew Coleman popped to hammer the ball home.

Defender Coleman quickly switched the role of hero for villain as the first half drew to a close as the centre back let a long ball bounce and Kenworthy was on hand to lob the loose ball over the stranded keeper.

The second half proved a scrappy affair and the home side went ahead for a third time on 70 minutes.

Luke Mascall got in front of Emley left-back Devan McIntosh to slot home from substitute Oglesby’s long ball.

It was another short-lived lead and, with 12 minutes remaining, a Wilson free kick on the left wasn’t dealt with by the home keeper and centre back Joshua Cooke was on hand to smash the ball home – a deserved reward for a resolute performance at the back.

Next up for Emley is another tough test against a promotion rival as they travel to Albion Sports on Saturday.

Cleethorpes: Drury, Lowe, Barrett, S Cooper, Coleman, Hanslip, Dickens, Richardson, M Cooper, Flett, Mascall. Subs: Lobenham, Robertson, Stephenson, Oglesby, Cox

AFC Emley: Day, Thornton (Wilson 60), McIntosh, Ingham, Cyrus, Cooke, Joseph, Jordan, Kenworthy, Haigh, Riley (Maturine 77). Subs not used: Townend, Jerome, Roberts

Kirklees Sunday League side Inter Athletic are in action tonight when they take on Pudsey Amateurs in the semi-final of the West Riding FA Sunday County Trophy at the FA’s ground in Woodlesford (7.30).