Grantham Town draw with Shepshed Dynamo in the Northern Premier League
Grantham Town halted a nine-match away game losing run by taking a point in manager Nathan Arnold's first match at the helm on New Year's Day.
The Gingerbreads ground out a 1-1 draw in their Northern Premier League Midlands Division match at Shepshed Dynamo.
It was their first point on their travels since the goalless draw at Bedworth at the end of August and ended a barren run on the road.
Grantham have been beaten 10 times in their 12 away league games this term but produced a workmanlike performance for their new boss.
Arnold said: "We have to take the positives and, with it being my first game with the boys, I could see that there was a hunger and desire to get a result.
"They showed grit and determined to dig in and the lads deserve a lot of credit to come away from home and get a point."
Arnold brought Harry Olivant back into the Grantham starting line-up following his loan spell at Lincoln United.
And the new manager's tenure couldn't have got off to a better start as Grantham grabbed a second minute lead against their 14th placed hosts.
A long clearance from goalkeeper Curtis Hall was flicked on by Lewis Darlington and Jevin Seaton surged clear to fire the Gingerbreads in front.
Dynamo looked for an instant response and Jesse Friend sent a header just wide from Kyle Nixon's cross.
The home side got themselves back on level terms after 24 minutes when Tom Eccleshall's pass picked out Aaron Korpal who drove home a low finish past Hall.
Shepshed could have taken the lead just before the break when Sidik Atcha surged forward before picking out Friend with his cross but he sent his effort into the grateful arms of Hall.
Grantham looked to repeat their strong start to the first half after the break and Darlington was denied by home goalkeeper Dan Wallis.
However, from the resultant corner, a long clearance upfield saw Korpal race through before being hauled back by Sam Edgington who was shown a red card.
It left Grantham to play for more than half-an-hour with 10 men but they defended resolutely against strong Shepshed pressure.
Korpal lifted an effort narrowly over the Grantham crossbar while Luke Cox also shot over from a late corner.
Despite seven minutes of stoppage time, Grantham held out to get Arnold's reign off to a solid start.
The draw, however, did little to ease Grantham's relegation worries as they are now 12 points adrift of safety following Coventry Sphinx's victory at Bedworth.
Grantham are back in action at the Meres on Saturday when they host 13th-placed Loughborough Students (3pm).
