Kirkley & Pakefield showed their resilience in grinding out a 1-1 draw against Haverhill Rovers after having their goalkeeper Jordan Smith carried off on a stretcher on 30 minutes after colliding with team-mate Ben George.

Kirkley were forced to play the second half with 10 men as well after having a player sent off just before the break.

The home team were unlucky not to take the lead on nine minutes after Haines' 30-yard strike hit the outside of the post.

On 15 minutes Conroy ran onto a good ball but his shot had the home keeper at full stretch to push the shot around the post.

On 20 minutes a good centre was well hit by Ben Bradley from inside the area to put the home team one up, this lead only lasted one minute when McAvoy found Kyle Haylock with a superb long pass who worked his way past defenders and keeper to slot home the equaliser.

On half hour following a home corner in an attempted clearance saw a nasty collision between Royals keeper Jordan Smith and Ben George, with players receiving lengthy treatment. Smith was eventually carried off on a stretcher with no keeper on the bench Ben George recovered enough to put on the keeper's jersey. After the lengthy hold up play resumed with sub keeper George making a fantastic save to stop a cert goal from a 30 yard free-kick.

On 44 minutes Royals' Declan McAvoy was shown the red card for retaliation after his head had been stepped on with stud marks.

The second half saw Haverhill on full on attack but poor finishing and good defending and the heroics of keeper George keep the Royals in the game.

The closest they came was when a Haines shot once again hit the outside of the post.

The closing minutes plus added time saw the Royals attacking with Haylock and Conroy working tirelessly and going close on a few occasions, but the Royals returned home with a welcome point after all 10 players gave their all in that second half.

This coming Saturday the first team are at Walmer Road entertaining third-placed Norwich United in the league, 3pm.

Team: J Smith (B Carter 31), T Harmer, D McAvoy, B George, J Herbert, L Flower, K Haylock, I Dawson, D Conroy, J Haverson, C Russell (G Soares 46).

Unused sub: R Howes.

The Reserves at Walmer Road last Saturday had a disappointing 0-0 draw against Watton United.

This Saturday they travel to top-of-the-table Wymondham Town, 2pm.

The Under 23s back to home league action last Saturday, against Waveney A on the Team Lauren Lou 3G Arena had a 3-1 win that sees them go back up to third place. This Saturday sees them at Normanston Park against bottom team Crusaders FC with a 2pm kick off.

The B team after a blank week return this Saturday with a home match on the 3G Arena against Southwold Town Res, 2pm.

The Under 18s Youth football this Thursday sees the K&PFC U18s at Wroxham with the AFC Royals at home the same night to Beccles Town 7.45pm. Next week K&PFC U18s play Norwich United at Walmer Road 7.45pm, with the AFC Royals U18s at Crown Meadow against Waveney on the Wednesday evening.