KIDSGROVE Athletic are keeping their heads clear of the drop zone after earning a crucial point at seventh-placed Belper Town.

Grove thoroughly deserved their reward in Saturday's 1-1 draw against a team which had beaten them twice this season.

The result leaves Grove third from bottom, five points above bottom side Spalding United.

Grove succeeded in keeping Belper's Ross Hannah off the scoresheet, and closed down the home side at every opportunity.

Aidan Matranga tested their keeper early on, a fierce shot being held by the keeper at the second attempt.

Stevenson headed wide for Belper, and they took the lead on 16 minutes when Mark Beeston slipped.

The ball fell to Hannah, whose cross into the box eluded Anthony Kielthy and Hudson scored with a diving header.

Beeston was replaced by Wayne Brotherton after suffering suspected torn ligaments, and Grove levelled the match on 24 minutes.

They were awarded a penalty when Matranga was brought down, and Richard Eyre stepped up to score easily from the spot.

Steve Jones shot straight at the Belper keeper early in the second half, and a looping header from Rushby for Belper landed on top of the net.

Grove almost took the lead 13 minutes from the end from a downward header by Jones, forcing keeper Ogden into an excellent save.

Grove felt they should have had another penalty for a foul on Matranga, Rushby hit the bar and James Coates made a fine save from the rebound to deny sub Wilson.

Brotherton took the full force of a piledriver in the ribs, and Matranga was denied by Ogden three minutes from time.

Grove are at home this Saturday to 10th-placed Stocksbridge Park Steels.