A 63rd minute strike from wing back Krisel Prifti gave Prestwich Heys a share of the spoils in an entertaining game at the Ruby Civil Arena against Padiham on Tuesday night.
Heys were in confident mood after Saturdays 7-2 win in the FA Vase against Brigg Town and after some fine recent league form Matt Barnes side were looking to continue here but could not off got off to a worse start as almost from the kick off a ball into the box caused confusion and former Heys man Jamie Ramwell shot home from close range.
With Heys caught cold Padiham continued the pressure being first to every ball closing down quickly and not letting the visitors settle and only a half chance in the first 15 minutes with a cross from Nathan Emery that was cut out by Padiham keeper Matthew Hamnett.
It was somewhat against the run of play when on 20 minutes striker Jack Coop, prolific in front of goal this season got in front of two defenders and with the keeper advancing accurately lobbed the ball into the back of the net from 30 yards, something that has become a trade mark from him in recent weeks and giving Prestwich the equaliser.
Back came the home side immediately though and great work down the right saw a cross come over to the edge of the 18-yard box finding Oliver Wood who launched a shot into the top right-hand corner giving Heys keeper Ryan Livesey no chance.
Another big chance for the home side on the half hour as Ramwell again at the heart of it had two stabs at a shot from 8 yards the second of which hitting the post and you sensed this could be a long night for Prestwich but as the first half drew to a close Heys started to get back into it with the busy Coop dragging a shot wide and a lovely move from left to right found Louis Potts who's ball into the box just eluded Danny White and was cleared.
So, 2-1 to Padiham at the break and Heys boss made a substitution replacing Taylor Share for wing back Krisel Prifti who wasted no time getting into the action on 47 minutes beating the Padiham full back and finding Emery on the left who on his second attempt brough a save out of keeper Hamnett.
Prestwich were now in top gear with the impressive Danny White and Sam Dickinson pulling the strings in midfield and as the rain started to come down hard in deteriorating conditions full back Joe Rothwell hit a free kick deep into the box which the home defence managed to clear and on the hour Jack Coop ran down the left and just ran out of room trying to cut inside.
It was soon after in the 63rd minute when Heys pressure was rewarded and again Coop at the heart of it down the left who beats the defender twice jinking inside then crossing to Krisel Prifti on the right who's shot from the edge of the box flew to the inside post past the Padiham keeper to the joy of the travelling fans.
Heys kept up the pressure but the closing quarter of the game saw midfielders Danny White and Brad Sixsmith depart the field injured as Padiham fought to get back into the game with a shot over the bar with minutes to go, and late into injury time it was Prifti again cutting in from the right but he too blazed his shot over the bar and that was to be the last action.
So, Heys first drawn game of the season and this turned out to be a good point away from home, recovering from a poor start but Matt Barnes will take plenty positives from the second half and take that forward into the forthcoming fixtures.