Deeping Rangers draw with Skegness Town in the United Counties League

Deeping Rangers are continuing to head in the right direction after picking up another point in their battle to move away from the lower reaches of the United Counties League Premier Division North table.

After their weekend win over Gresley Rovers, the Clarets shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Skegness Town on Tuesday night.

The opening exchanges had been even until Deeping hit the front just before the half-hour mark with a fantastic free-kick from recent signing Ricki Goodale.

Fellow newcomer Byron Adiado came close to doubling the lead on the stroke of half-time but headed wide of the Skegness goal.

Rangers were forced to replace the experienced Tom Smith due to injury at the interval and the Lilywhites levelled six minutes into the second half as Kyle Radford finished off after a fine pass from Rio Molyneux.

Will Barnes fired a free-kick just over the visitors' crossbar as Rangers looked for a response but it was Skegness who came closest to snatching the points.

Molyneux rattled the crossbar just before the hour mark with the frame of the goal again denying Skegness nine minutes from time when new signing Tom Ward went close for the visitors.

Both sides had chances in stoppage time with Matt Sparrow being thwarted in a one-on-one by a fine save from Skegness goalkeeper Caleb Pipes-Goulsbra.

Home custodian Iggy Sakalas then made a superb double save to keep Skegness at bay in the last minute of injury-time.

Clarets boss Brett Whaley said: "We were really positive in the first half following Saturday's win.

"You have to give Skegness credit for the way they started the second half and the goal really opened up the game.

"We would have folded a few weeks ago at 1-1 so there's clear progress."

The draw leaves Rangers a point adrift of safety ahead of another county derby on Saturday when they host Sleaford Town at the Haydon Whitham Stadium.