Hinckley AFC and Studley shared a point apiece as two top six sides cancelled each other out at St John’s Park.
AFC’s first home game since Boxing Day was an intriguing affair throughout between two sides hoping for FA Cup qualification for next season.
Richard Lavery’s side had to come from behind after Billy Garvey’s early header gave the visiting Bees the lead, but did just that as Steve Hart’s goal earned Hinckley a point.
Lavery handed a debut to new signing Jonathan Bukasa at left back, while Kai Tonge also made his first start.
For large spells, Hinckley had more of the ball but Studley had the better chances, and Carl O’Neill in the AFC goal was the busier of the two goalkeepers.
But O’Neill was picking the ball out of his net just seven minutes in. Garvey made the most of some slack marking to escape his man from a left wing corner and nod home the opening goal from ten yards.
Hinckley responded well, though, and had more of the play on the soft pitch where players regularly lost their footing, despite not creating too many chances.
AFC had their best spell of control just before half time and went close through Hart and Tonge, but couldn’t break down a resolute Bees defence.
The second half started in a similar vein, with Hinckley struggling to fashion too many chances in their quest for an equaliser.
That was until just after the hour mark, when Hart pulled them level. A free kick from inside their own half was flicked into the box, where Hart lost his man and rolled around Studley ‘keeper Ryan Young and into the net to restore parity.
Studley had a chance to win it late on, but O’Neill stood up well to block an effort from close range and ensure the sides took a point apiece.
Hinckley: Carl O’Neill, Abdul Muhammad, Jonathan Bukasa (Richard Lavery 68), James Jepson, James Williams, Richard Munday, Kai Tonge, Josh Burniston, Luke Richards, Steve Hart, Josh Willis. Subs not used: Mitchell Tomlinson, Marcus Jackson, Marley Hamilton, Chad Timson
Goal: Steve Hart (63)
Studley: Ryan Young, Luke English, Danny Ludlow, Lewis Clarke, Daniel Dineen, Craig Oldfield, Aaron Westwood (Andy Nicol 68), Eddie Wynne-Wilson, Billy Garvey, Brett Fellows (Karl King 72), Chris Cowley. Substitutes: Matt Powell, Kieran McCalla
Goal: Billy Garvey (7)
Attendance: 140
