St Albans City and Hemel Hempstead Town served up a 1-1 draw in front of 1,132 people at Clarence Park on Boxing Day.
The hosts took the lead with 32 minutes on the clock when David Keenleyside played an excellent through ball to John Frendo, who took a touch before hitting a right-footed strike past Laurie Walker.
The Saints could, and maybe should, have been two goals up by the interval, but Frendo failed to convert when he rounded the goalkeeper.
After the break, St Albans began to sit back and, as the half wore on, Hemel forced themselves into the game. It was only a matter of time before an equaliser came. That goal arrived with just a minute left on the clock. A ball into the City box was cleared by the defence but it fell to the energetic Jordan Parkes, who unleashed a wonderful first time strike from 25 yards out which flew past Joe Welch and into the top corner.
The point keeps St Albans ahead of Hemel in the Vanarama Conference South, with the teams set to meet again on New Years Day at Vauxhall Road.
The Saints’ must first switch to Sutton United, who they face on Sunday. Kick-off is 3pm.
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