Hartley Wintney earned a hard-fought draw as they travelled to play-off chasing Raynes Park Vale on Saturday.

The home side started strongly and on nine minutes came close to opening the scoring. A cross from the right found Jordan Gallagher who saw his rasping drive crash off the crossbar. 

Hartley edged into the game and on 18 minutes a cross from George Winser found Liam Gavin who shot over the bar. 

Most of the Vale moves were instigated through Jordan Gallagher who was a threat throughout. His brother Conor who plays for Chelsea and England was in attendance. 

On the stroke of half time Gallagher got free down the right and his pass inside found Brad Sweeney who saw his powerful shot bring out a good save from Adam Melville in the Row goal.

Hartley started the second half well and it was no surprise when they took the lead on 56 minutes. 

Andry Demira found space on the left and his low cross seemed to take a nick off Adam Payce and a Vale defender finishing up in the net. (0-1) 

It is unclear whether the shot from Demira would have entered the net without the deflection.

Having gained the lead the Row gave away a needless free kick in their own half. The Vale packed the area and Hartley were unable to get the ball clear.

It was returned into the area and Charlie Penney got the final touch and via Melville in the Hartley goal  the sides were level.  (1-1)

The Vale piled on the pressure and two minutes later a cross from Archie Harland-Goddard was headed just over by Gallagher.  Five minutes later Gallagher had a good run coming in from the left and he curled his parting effort just wide of goal.

Into added time Hartley were almost denied a point as the flag remained down for an obvious off-side. Gallagher was offside when receiving a through pass. He ran on for a one-on-one with Melville, the Row goalie, who pulled off a good save. Just before the final whistle Daniel Moody almost won all the points for the Vale but his effort went just wide.