JACKSONS Boat dropped their first points of the season in this thrilling game at McGovern Park.

Starting with Mark Hall in an unaccustomed role as centre-forward, the Boatmen started by playing their usual one touch football, probing and trying to find a way beyond the visitors' defence to create a chance on goal and take the lead.

This Partington side were not there to be taken and defended resolutely and on more than one occasion threatened to shock the champions with quick incisive breaks.

In fact it took two fantastic saves by the home keeper to keep things level at half time.

The second half started and continued much as the first, with the Boatmen on the ascendancy for periods, only to be frightened by the sharp breaks by the visitors.

After eighty minutes of end-to-end stuff, Jacksons Boat eventually breached Partington's defence and Sean Gayle finished off a good move to slot home and give the home side the lead.

To their credit, Partington Social scored a deserved equaliser with three minutes to go, and despite intense pressure from the home side, managed to hold out for a deserved draw.

A great game that was a credit to local amateur football helped by a terrific performance from referee Mike Smith, who just let things flow.