NINE-man Worcester Raiders stood firm to share the points in a title tussle with Darlaston but may still ponder what might have been.

The much-anticipated clash of the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One heavyweights ended 1-1 with Rich Smith’s early strike cancelled out after the interval.

With less than three minutes on the clock, Rich Smith took aim from the corner of the 18-yard box and rifled low across goal.

From there Raiders remained on the front foot for the rest of the opening 45 minutes with Anthony Smith missing a presentable opening before Rich Smith failed to convert when one on one.

Darlaston picked up after the interval and equalised midway through the second half with a 25-yard free-kick.

There was an even ebb and flow from there despite Anthony Smith seeing red for a second bookable offence, dished out for a meaty tackle after kicking away the ball during the first half.

The match was in the dying embers when Raiders man Martin Fowler picked up his second caution but parity was maintained.

It means Raiders trail leaders Darlaston by five points with four games in hand.