A terrific second-half free-kick from Kaiden Barlow rescued a point for Daisy Hill in a 1-1 draw with promotion-chasing Droylsden in their North West Counties League First Division North clash at the Plumb Factory Stadium on Monday afternoon.

Droylsden striker Joel Ankers’ fine solo goal had given the visitors the lead at the break, but Barlow’s equaliser earned Daisy a point that captain Dean Singleton felt was well deserved.

“Last Saturday we lost by a goal in stoppage time from a corner, so I guess that just made us dig in a bit deeper today, and learn from the mistake on Saturday,” said Singleton.

“We knew Droylsden would have more possession today, and it was a case of us staying solid, and I think the formation and shape we had set up in the first half made it hard for them to break us down.

“It was just a lapse of concentration on the right-hand side that let their striker in too easily for the goal, but apart from that we didn’t concede many chances.

“In the second half we came out with a bit more fire in the belly, and wanted to take the game to them a bit more, and I think we did that.

“Kaiden’s free-kick right into the corner got us back into the game, and in the end got us a point.

“We can hold our heads high after that performance, and if we can continue to show that sort of application in the next few weeks, it will stand us in good stead.”

Backed by a large travelling support, Droylsden had the best of the possession and chances in the first half.

At the midway point, Daisy keeper Morgan Newns had to make a smart save to push away a well-struck effort from Droylsden’s Fuad Kasali, whose pace down the left flank troubled the home defence throughout.

The opening goal arrived nine minutes from half time, when Droylsden striker Ankers won a challenge for the ball wide on the left, cut in towards goal, and unleashed a cracking 20-yarder high into the net that gave Newns no chance.

The lively Kasali then tested Newns with a header, and then on the stroke of half time outpaced the Daisy back line before firing a shot into the side-netting.

Daisy introduced Barlow as a half-time substitute for Sam Twist, and it turned out to be a shrewd move when the striker bagged the equaliser on the hour mark.

It was Barlow who won a free-kick after his heels were clipped by a Droylsden defender on the edge of the penalty area, and taking the kick himself, he curled a delightful shot round the wall and into the far corner.

Both sides pushed forward in the closing stages in search of a winner, and nine minutes from time the ever-threatening Kasali once again used his pace to advance to the edge of the box before firing in an effort that fizzed across goal and just missed the far post.

But deep into stoppage time, Daisy substitute Alex Dodd almost bagged a dramatic winner, when he jinked past a challenge before driving in a shot that was well palmed away by Droylsden keeper Jordan Latham.

Daisy are back in action in the North West Counties League First Division North on Saturday, when they travel to face Ashton Athletic (3pm).