Ali Chaaban’s late equaliser salvaged a deserved point for Staines Town on Monday.

In the early stages, Staines were unable to seriously threaten Stortford keeper Nicky Eyre despite having the majority of the possession.

The best chance came when Dominic Sterling’s free kick was met at the far post by Marien Ifura’s header that came back off the bar.

Then Howard Newton’s skills carved out a chance that was diverted over the bar by a defender.

At the other end, a neat move begun by Charlie Sheringham and Bertie Brayley produced the opening goal in the 18th minute when Louis Riddle fired into the bottom corner from 18 yards.

Staines hit back with Sterling having a close-range shot blocked on the line by a combination of Eyre and team-mate Butler.

The half ended with Stortford skipper Tom Champion’s header from a corner just flash past the post.

Staines were level eight minutes after the restart. After being found by Howard Newton, Scott Taylor’s accurate ball from the right was met by a rapier finish from Butler, who send the ball beyond the diving Eyre.

Stortford were back in front six minutes later when the ball bounced kindly for the deadly Brayley to fire home from just inside the box.

But Staines secured a point nine minutes from time when Newton’s corner was stabbed goalwards by Kamara and Chaaban stabbed the ball home from a couple of yards for his 10th goal of the season.

Staines: Wells, Kamara, Sterling, Gordon ©, Ifura, D Brown, Newton, Scarlett, Butler (Charles-Smith 75), Taylor (Ahmad 64), Griffiths Chaaban 64); unused: King, Taylor.

B Stortford: Eyre, Nunn, Jones, Lette-Jellow, Angus, Champion ©, Sulaiman (Lathrope HT), Southam, Brayley (Shulton 80), Sheringham, Riddle; unused Abdullahi, Llewellyn, Mason.

Ref: Tim Robinson (Bersted, W Sussex); ARs David Jones (New Haw), Adrian Piggott (High Wycombe); Att: 382.