The Hawks went ahead through Tayo Oyebola, with his fifth goal of the season in the 18th minute. The lead was short-lived however, as the hosts hit back via Kelvin Bossman with just over half an hour played.

Both sides struggled creatively in a game that won’t live long in the memory of the 129 hardy spectators who braved the elements, and with neither side doing enough to take the win, they will both be happy with a share of the spoils.

Tiannie Wilson, recently promoted from Harlow Town Reserves to join the First Team, went into the starting line-up for the first time, and he was instrumental in creating the opening goal. A good run and cross in from the left found Tayo Oyebola in the middle, whose looping header went over the outstretched arms of Marlow stopper Simon Grant.

The visitors hit back on 33 minutes when a pass deflected kindly off a Harlow Town defender and into the path of Kevin Bossman. He rounded Josh Bexon confidently and slid the ball home into the empty net to draw his side level.

HALF-TIME: Marlow 1-1 Harlow Town

Consistent rain and a heavy pitch made it difficult for either side to maintain possession for large periods of time, and clear-cut chances were scarce at both ends.

The closest Harlow came to a second goal was soon after the restart when neat passing inside the opposition’s congested area finally saw the ball played across to Syrus Gordon on the edge of the box. He unleashed a powerful shot that cannoned off the crossbar and onto the goal-line below, not quite crossing it, before being cleared from danger.

With an hour played it was the home side’s turn to go close, and Adam Richards must have thought he had scored when he connected well with a header from a corner. With the goalkeeper beaten, however, Miles Mitchell-Nelson was on hand to head off the line.

Marlow then created a further chance when they hit the bar themselves on 70 minutes, going close but seeing the ball cannon off the woodwork and out of play for a goal-kick.

The final sight of goal went the way of the visitors. Hawks’ goalscorer Oyebola got the wrong side of former Harlow defender Curtis Ujah, but the Grant produced a diving save to deny the goal.

The two teams seemed to accept the stalemate and saw out the final minutes of a game that was anything but a footballing spectacle.

FULL-TIME: Marlow 1-1 Harlow Town

Harlow Town are next back in action on Saturday 30th November, when Northwood are the visitors to the Harlow Arena. Kick off is at 3pm.