Aidan Rutledge’s late strike clinched a point for Moors at Scarborough Athletic on New Year’s Day as the two sides shared the points for a fifth successive occasion.

The game began in relatively even fashion, before an open second half allowed Scarborough to forge ahead courtesy of a back post header from Luca Colville. However, former Seadogs forward Rutledge levelled to ensure a share of the spoils.

It was clear from the off that the weather would impact the play of the National League North encounter, with strong winds and rain rolling in over the stadium.

Moors started off the brighter side, with Mondal almost escaping into space and a potential one on one situation. However, experienced defender Michael Duckworth was there and shepherded it back to keeper Ryan Whitley.

It could’ve been 1-0 just minutes later had it not been for a sensational piece of defending from Kieran Weledji to deny Glen Taylor of a close-range opportunity. His last-ditch tackle just about managed to take the ball away from the frontman after great work from Rob Ramshaw on the right.

Scarborough then seemed to try to level out the game, as chances for them went begging. Weledji leathered a shot from the edge high over the crossbar, before Colville tried his luck from a similar position, but his effort curled just wide of the mark.

Finley Shrimpton first tried a shot from 25 yards out, however, he didn’t get the right contact, and it rolled right into the hands of Whitely.

The Seadogs continued to apply pressure, as Alex Wiles saw his venomous volley fly over the bar, while Harry Green watched as his freekick soared up and over and on to the roof of the stand.

It wasn’t long before Shrimpton tried his luck again from the same position as his last effort; this time he saw his strike flash wide of the far post.

Moors ended the first period the stronger, producing the best chance of the game so far. Mondal’s shot on the edge of the box ricocheted into the path of Corey McKeown on the edge of the six-yard box. His effort on goal was well saved and put behind for a corner.

Graeme Lee made a change in midfield personnel at the break as Matty Dolan was replaced by Callum Ross to bring fresh legs on to the pitch.

Both sides really upped their game in the second half. The conclusion of the rain seemed to have given both teams a bit of a kick to go for a winner, and Moors looked more likely to do so for the most part.

Lee’s side managed to break dangerously towards the Scarborough box, with Ramshaw finding Taylor in the centre of the penalty area. The captain tried to turn and strike, but his shot was charged down and safely landed in the keeper’s arms.

Colville struck a shot from the edge of the box soon after, but it was comfortably saved by Brad James.

Substitute Ross looked to get his name on the scoresheet as he smashed a shot first time from the edge of the box, only to see it fly wide of the near post. Michael Ledger then had an even better chance 10 minutes later, as Olly Dyson’s cross found his head unmarked in the penalty area. His effort, however, flew right into thew hands of Whitley, who made no mistake and claimed.

Moors enjoyed a good period of possession and chances, with Scarborough seemingly unable to get a foothold in the game. Ramshaw produced a brilliant strike towards the top corner of the goal, which was brilliantly tipped over by Whitley, yet somehow, no corner was awarded.

Taylor came close again soon after when his curling left-footed shot was well pawed wide by the Seadogs keeper.

Scarborough kept their cool however and began pressing with intent, as Purver’s shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide for a corner.

It was from that set-piece that the hosts took the lead. A deep cross to the back post found Colville unmarked and he took his opportunity, heading home into the roof of the net and giving the Seadogs a late lead.

However, their advantage lasted just three minutes, as substitutes combined for Moors to find an equaliser. Will Harris’ cross into the box was just too far ahead of Glen Taylor to put away but fell perfectly for loanee Rutledge to swoop in at the back stick and prod home to level the scores.

Rutledge even had a chance to double his tally against his former club just three minutes later, as he drove towards the box and struck low toward the bottom left corner. The keeper had already gone the wrong way, as the ball flew agonisingly wide.

Full Time: Scarborough Athletic 1 Moors 1

Moors: James, Dyson, Ledger, Beals, Staunton, Dolan (Ross 46), Shrimpton, Mondal (Harris 62), Ramshaw, McKeown (Rutledge 74), Taylor.
Subs not used: Johnson, McGinley.

Scarborough Athletic: Whiteley, Waldron, Weledji, Thornton, Duckworth, Dom Tear (Maloney 60), Purver, Wiles (Glynn 82), Green (King 86), Colville, Bennett.
Subs not used: Wilson, Bancroft.

Booked: Bennett (70), Colville (79)

Referee: Jack Hall

Attendance: 1,546 (74 Moors)