Bromley maintained their five-point lead at the top of League Two with a hard-fought draw away at Grimsby Town on Saturday lunchtime.
Bromley went into the game without their injured top scorer Michael Cheek, lining up 4-5-1 with Nicke Kabamba up front on his own.
On a heavy Blundell Park pitch it was the home side who started brighter with George McEacharan having a shot saved by Grant Smith, quickly followed by a vital block on the line by Carl Jenkinson.
The Ravens eventually got going and caused The Mariners problems with Mitchell Pinnock’s long throws into the box. Corey Whitely had Bromley’s first shot, which was saved by Jackson Smith, but they did go in front on 28 minutes, when a long ball from Omar Sowunmi was knocked into Kabamba’s path by Pinnock and the striker bundled the ball home to put Andy Woodman’s team in front.
The lead only lasted for two minutes though, as Grimsby were awarded a penalty for hand ball after McEacharan hit the ball against Jude Arthurs’ arm in the area from very close range. Referee Mr Stockbridge saw fit to award a penalty to Grimsby and Charles Vernam drove the spot kick straight down the middle to equalise. Both sides had spells of pressure going into the break, but neither could find a way through and they went in level.
The second half saw Grimsby start on top and they had all the play up until the hour mark when Andy Woodman made three changes. This saw Bromley briefly look brighter, but it was the home side who created the best chances. Jaze Kabia headed a Darragh Burns cross wide at the far post and then from the next ball into the box Kabia forced a fine double save from Smith, with Marcus Ifill making a vital block to deny McEacharan from the third chance.
McEacharan then saw a long drive brilliantly saved by Smith before Bromley finally got back into things. Ashley Charles had a free kick well saved by Jackson Smith and a deep cross from Pinnock was turned towards goal by Sowunmi only for Reec Staunton to make a vital block at the far post.
With play ragged and frantic at times, the teams both had chances late on. For The Mariners Staunton’s dangerous cross shot was well saved by Smith, while Bromley went close when Pinnock found Sowunmi with another good cross, but Jackson Smith made a great stop down to his left to deny the centre back an injury time winner.
Ther draw was probably a fair result, moving Grimsby into the play off places and keeping Bromley on top of the table, unbeaten in eighteen League Two games.
The Ravens now have a week of before entertaining Bristol Rovers at Hayes Lane next Saturday.
Grimsby: Smith, Staunton, McJannet, Kacurri, Rodgers, Turi (Walker 77), Vernam (Kabia 32), McEacharan, Green, Burns (Sellars-Flemming 85), Cook (Sunsop-Bell 85). Subs Not Used: Auton, Sweeney, Warren.
Bromley: Smith, Jenkinson (Ifill 61), Odutayo, Sowunmi, Debrah, Charles, Arthurs (Hondermarck 62), Pinnock, Krauhaus (Thompson 92), Whitely (Ilunga 61), Kabamba. Subs Not Used: Dinanga, Medley, Long.
Goals: GTFC – Vernam 30pen BFC – Kabamba 28mins.
HT 1-1 FT 1-1
Att: 6,777
Referee: Mr S Stockbridge