Tom Smith netted a first-half equaliser as London Colney dropped two points to lowly Hillingdon Borough on Saturday.

Nine spots and 13 points separated the teams ahead of their meeting but it meant little to 20th-placed Borough as they took the lead in the 23rd minute. Dan Cohen, in goal for the unavailable Tom Smith, had got down early to thwart Mark Chijindu in the opening exchanges but there was nothing he could do when Gary Edwards’ free-kick found the striker unmarked at the back post and he headed home.

Cohen redeemed himself with a smart save to his right to deny Rob Byron and his Colney team-mates repaid his heroics by hauling themselves back into the game. Cain Davey, Jason Beck and Spencer Clarke-Mardel all went close to levelling before Smith rose highest to direct his header past Mikey Pearce in the Boro net.

Shortly after the restart, the Blueboys were thanking their lucky stars as Francisco Caro rounded the goalkeeper only to put his shot wide with the goal at his mercy. And it happened again later in the half when Arjet Memishaj headed high when it would have been easier to score.

Despite the let off, the Blueboys were unable to take advantage and snatch the lead. In fact, they nearly lost the game in the dying moments but Jake Owen’s long-range shot rattled the crossbar, bounced down on the line and out to keep the teams all square.

This Saturday the Bluboys are at home to Baldock Town in the first round of the FA Vase.