POINT ON THE ROAD AT ALVECHURCH

Needham Market extended their league unbeaten run to four matches after a rather uneventful 1-1 draw at Alvechurch, remaining in 7th position.

Tom Rothery's side made two changes from the draw at Bury Town, Ollie Saunders and Reggie Lambe dropped to the bench, as Seth Chambers.and Dan Morphew started. Peterborough United loanee Fabian Claxton returned to the bench.

The Marketmen started brightly for the first ten minutes, reat start from Needham (4'), Jake Dye latched through down the right wing to whip a brilliant cross into Kyle Hammond whose first time fierce volley was blocked strongly by Jessy Bavanganga.

Myles Cowling (8') intercepted a clearance just outside the Church box albeit his heavy touch as he darted down the left wing overran for a goal-kick.

At the other end, the hosts began to grow into the game, Tope Obadeyi (11') was fed in space just outside the area, but fired his first time shot narrowly wide of the top right-hand corner.

A fantastic save from James Bradbrook (15') who beat away a fierce strike towards his left-hand corner from outside the area, before Needham created a good chance of their own (21').

A long ball towards Neal on the right wing saw the forward deflect Pearce's clearance to the arriving Tommy Smith on the edge of the area beating his marker to find space and feed Seth Chambers inside the area - whose close range strike was deflected through to goalkeeper Redman Evans.

Jake Dye (25') was fed on the right wing overlap, only for his good cross into the area to be cleared for a throw, from which Myles Cowling earned a corner as his cross was blocked behind.

Kyle Hammond's corner (27') was taken short to Cowling, whose cutback to Ben Hunter just outside the box saw the midfielder find Keiran Morphew at close range whose header at goal went straight into Evans' chest.

Needham (29') saw a fierce low shot in the area blocked, as both sides went into the break level.

Wakefield was cautioned for a crunching challenge on 51 minutes, as Needham broke the deadlock on 72 minutes after a dull start to the half from both sides.

Luke Ingram exploited space on the left-hand side of the area, following a superb long ball, to smash a brilliant low strike across goal, which Evans could only beat away as far as Joe Neal to turn home his 10th League goal of the season from point blank range.

Saunders replaced Ingram, while Joe Neal (81') broke through onto the right-hand side whose cutback was cleared straight to Ollie Saunders whose low shot across goal was hacked clear.

Barker was introduced for Neal, though Alvechurch equalised in stoppage time.

Zac Guinan (92') rose highest at the far post to head home a corner.

Needham travel to fellow play-off chaser Real Bedford on Tuesday (7:45pm).