Marske United made it a fifth game unbeaten in difficult conditions at the John Keegan Stadium, coming from behind to take a point off an in-form Crook Town.

Debutant Zac Niven broke the deadlock for the free-scoring visitors. He picked out the top corner from range with one of the better strikes of the season to date.

It fell to an unlikely scorer to level the contest for the Seasiders. Makeshift centre-back James Rowe kept his composure to restore parity, his first goal for the club in almost fifty appearances.

It was the Black and Ambers who made the brighter start on a dreary afternoon at the John Keegan Stadium.

Koby Eratt-Thompson forced a spectacular diving stop from Mike Algie, who twice more reacted to deny strikes from an in-form Connor Shields and Joe Bates.

Marske had a number of opportunities of their own and perhaps should have led when Leo Robinson fired Charlie Watt’s pullback cross over the bar.

Cam Thomson cut inside to bend an effort narrowly wide of the far stanchion, whilst James Rowe planted his headed effort into the grasp of Oliver Basey.

Crook again started the better when play resumed, taking the lead in some style when debutant Zac Niven thumped the ball into the top right corner from range.

A defensive mistake almost gifted the Black and Ambers a crucial second. Connor Shields broke free after a slip at the back, but couldn’t lift his effort over Mike Algie.

It was an unlikely party on the scoresheet when Marske United made parity. It fell to James Rowe to touch, turn and finish with the composure of a striker, handing the Seasiders a second wind.

Dom Joynes came close when he hooked a volley wide from the middle of the box. Charlie Watt looked to mirror Rowe’s effort, but was soon closed down.

The in-form forward proved the closest to putting Marske ahead. He struck the crossbar with a dipping free kick, inches away from nestling in the top right corner.