Bourne Town draw with Newark Town in the United Counties League
An injury to in-form frontman Tom Siddons took the shine off Bourne Town moving into top spot in the United Counties League Premier Division North on Saturday.
Siddons had continued his rich vein of goalscoring form by giving the Wakes the lead in their home clash with Newark Town at the JJ Mac Stadium on Saturday.
It was his sixth goal in as many games since returning to fitness after joining Bourne from Southern League neighbours Stamford.
However, an ankle injury curtailed the striker's involvement in the second half with Bourne then seeing their 15-match winning streak in all competitions come to an end following Louis Czerwak's equaliser with 17 minutes remaining.
Manager Michael Goode explained: "Sidds was on fire in the first half but then went in for a tackle just before the break and went over on his ankle.
"He played on for a while so it couldn't be that bad but it had ballooned up so he had to come off and it means we will be without him for a while.
"I really feel for him because he can't seem to catch a break at the moment.
"He's been so good for us since he came in. He's a goal threat, got a great touch and is a brilliant finisher.
"He's been enjoying it with us and has been in good form. He has become a focal point."
In front of a crowd of 484, Newark had created the first chance of the game but Czerwak was unable to convert.
Bourne then took a ninth minute lead when Will Bird's lofted cross found Siddons who headed home the opening goal.
The Wakes then took control of the first half but were unable to add a vital second goal to their tally.
Zac Allen came close on the stroke of half-time as he latched onto Henry Dunn's through ball but, after being forced wide by a covering defender, was unable to convert from a tight angle.
Bourne had another decent opening after the break when a tidy move saw Allen find Bird in space in the penalty area but goalkeeper Jake West denied the home forward.
Newark then levelled with 17 minutes remaining when Bourne were unable to clear their lines following a goalmouth scramble and Czerwak drilled home the equaliser.
It set up an end-to-end finish with Bourne having a series of shots blocked and efforts go off target while home goalkeeper Dan Swan made a crucial stop to thwart Matteo Perkins as the honours ended even.
Although the draw brought an end to Bourne's 15-match winning streak in all competitions, the Wakes remain unbeaten since their away loss at Wisbech in mid-October.
The point was also enough to move them above Eastwood CFC on goal difference with the Wakes also having a game in hand on their title rivals.
Manager Goode added: "We have created a problem in that we've won so many games on the trot and everyone is expecting you to win every week. Every team also wants to take that record from you.
"You can't win every game, even though you want to. Sometimes you have to accept that it's a fair result.
"We're still looking alright and defensively we looked very solid on Saturday. Newark are lively going forward but we dealt with them well.
"I felt we shaded the first half but it was a hard-fought point overall.
"We've been on a great run but you've got to remember that we're playing a good side who are in fourth place."
Bourne now travel to Melton Town on Wednesday night looking to complete a league double over their hosts.
Zac Allen scored a hat-trick in the home win when the two sides met at the JJ Mac Stadium at the end of November.
Goode said: "We've got to reset after Saturday.
"Melton are a decent side so we've got to be cautious.
"We'd look at that game earlier in the season and, after beating them at home, it would be about not losing away.
"They've now dropped to 10th though so we've got to go away and put in a performance"
Bourne will travel to Atherton Laburnum Rovers for their fifth round tie in the FA Vase.
The North West Counties League Division One side booked their place in the last 16 with a 3-2 home success over Hallam on Saturday.
