St Martins FC and Ellesmere Rangers shared points in the first north Shropshire derby of the season after a 1-1 draw at Park Hall.

First half goals from Levi Hunter and David Hartshorn sent the sides in at the break all square, with neither team unable to take all three points in the second half.

The draw means Rangers move from the foot of the table into 19th after picking up their first point from their first four games.

St Martins move into fifth place just two points adrift of the top spot, but many of their closest competitors have one or two games in hand.

It was a good start for the home team with Dave Easthope firing over the bar in the opening five minutes, and Tawanda Melusi breaking through on goal 10 minutes later, only to be denied by the keeper.

Ellesmere started to grow into the game and were rewarded for their efforts when a free-kick 40 yards from goal struck by Hunter, somehow managed to confuse the Saints keeper and put them 1-0 up.

Their lead wasn’t long-lived though with a response from St Martins just six minutes later when Hartshorn finished from the right-hand side of the box, giving him more reason to celebrate his birthday.

The second half was eventful but neither side was able to find the net, with Easthope hitting the woodwork just after the hour mark and forcing a good save from the visiting keeper moments later.

Hunter attempted to hit a similar free-kick to the one he scored in the first half late into the game, but this time goalkeeper George Austin was equal to the task.

Both sides are in action again on Saturday, August 25 when the Saints travel to Abbey Hulton United, and Rangers host Vauxhall Motors.