Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley was delighted with the way his team fought back to earn a Trophy replay with Leek Town after their 3-3 draw at the Brewery Field on Saturday.

Substitute Paul Johnson, who is usually a defender, was pushed up front as Ainsley gambled, and the move paid off, although a four hour trip to Leek in Staffordshire might not be regarded as a reward by some fans. But at least the manager was in a better mood than after last week’s 6-1 home drubbing by Bamber Bridge.

“The performance was a lot better than last week’s” said Ainsley. “I was pleased that the players kept going and didn’t let their heads drop when they went behind.

“Paul came on as a sub and scored a beauty, but that’s the way things seem to be at the moment. We’re conceding some easy goals, while we have to work hard at the other end. We’re suspect against setplays and balls into our box at the moment, and we need to tighten up.”

It was a good end-to-end game, although Moors winger Anthony Peacock was clearly targeted for some special attention by the Leek defence, as he was fouled on several occasions in the first half.

Moors took the lead on 12 minutes with a well-worked corner kick between Peacock and Stephen capper, which resulted in Capper making a good run into the box and hitting a right foot shot that took a slight deflection on its way into the net.

Eight minutes later, and the EvoStik First Division South side levelled on 20 minutes when Niall Maguire crossed from the right, and tall striker Liam Shotton was left with an easy header from a few yards.

But on 24 minutes Moors were back in front again, when Shane Henry split the Leek defence with a 50 yard pass, which Michael Roberts ran on to and slipped past the advancing Ross Etheridge.

Tim Grice fired into the side netting at the start of the second half, and on 69 minutes Leek pulled themselves level when Shotton was given plenty of space to control a cross from the right, turn, and fire into the bottom corner of Adam McHugh’s goal.

It didn’t look good for Moors when Grice volleyed a Matt Bell free kick home from six yards, but in stoppage time, after Leek’s Andy Kinsey was red carded for dissent, Capper pulled the ball back from the left for Johnson to beat Etheridge from ten yards out.

The replay is on Wednesday.

Team: McHugh, Capper, Mason, Tait, Griffiths, Peacock (sub Johnson), Dodds, Henry, Stephenson (sub McReady), Roberts, Fisher (sub Cogdon ).

Subs not used: Groves, Atkinson.