NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: Red-hot striker Shariff rescues point for St Neots Town while the woodwork rescues St Ives Town

St Neots Town sealed a top-half finish in the Southern League Premier Division by earning a fine draw at high-flying King’s Lynn yesterday.

The two teams traded goals in the final quarter-of-an-hour of a 1-1 deadlock in Norfolk with Saints frontman Nabil Shariff continuing his rich vein of form with a leveller.

Goalkeeper Finlay Iron conceded an early penalty after bringing down former Saints man Ryan Hawkins, but he atoned by keeping out Michael Gash’s spot-kick.

The Lynn striker did eventually beat Iron when heading the hosts ahead in the 78th minute, but Saints responded as Shariff rose to convert a cross from substitute Scott Sinclair and score for the seventh time in as many matches.

St Ives were spared defeat at rock-bottom Dunstable Town in the Southern League Premier Division by the woodwork.

A goalless draw dropped the hosts to the bottom of the standings, but they were unfortunate not to take maximum points after hitting the post and crossbar in stoppage time at the end of the second half.

Andrew Osei-Bonsu saw a shot deflect against the base of an upright before John Songua headed against the underside of the bar, but Saints emerged in possession of a second successive clean sheet.

Ricky Marheineke’s side, who were loan ace Tom Knowles after his recall by League Two club Cambridge United, rarely threatened themselves.

Ollie Snaith, their match-winner against Redditch 48 hours earlier, saw a strong penalty appeal turned down early in the second half.