St Neots Town were denied derby glory today by a player they tried – and failed - to sign.
The Saints were held to a 1-1 deadlock by Cambridge City at the Premier Plus Stadium – their fourth successive draw as they take small steps towards Southern League Premier Division safety.
James Hall, the subject of an approach from St Neots in February, hit the visitors’ second-half leveller from the penalty spot.
Drew Roberts had earlier fired Saints ahead with his third goal in four games. He volleyed in a deflected Lee Clarke cross after 13 minutes.
Clarke and former City man Josh Dawkin were denied further goals by visiting keeper Zac Barrett as Saints were on top. Dawkin also saw a goalbound effort blocked by a defender.
But Saints have never been their county rivals at home and Hall made no mistake from the spot just after the hour after a Clarke foul on Danny Kelly to bring City level.
Clarke thought he’d redeemed himself by putting Saints back ahead only for a raised flag to cut short his celebrations. Then Roberts forced a fine save from Barrett with Clarke steering the rebound over.
But the spoils were shared to leave Saints 11 points above the drop-zone, but still with the unlikely possibility of being overhauled by three of the bottom four teams.
The other of those sides, Histon, were relegated today.
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