VAUXHALL Motors claimed their first point of the new year with a 1-1 draw away at Prescot Cables on Friday night.

Two fantastic saves from the acrobatic Motors stopper Jack Atkinson kept his side in the game after John Murphy struck in the 17th minute before Jay Harvey levelled immediately after the break.

The tie at the Joseph Russell Stadium brought a return to action for both Bobbie McDonnell and defender Ben Dufton-Kelly, who had completed a long recovery back from an injury sustained in the first game under Danny Holmes.

The hosts made a strong start to the game as they fired an early chance just over the bar from inside the box.

Winger Kyle Sambor aimed to get the better of George Nugent and this made for an exciting tussle on the right hand side.

Vauxhall were causing some issues themselves as Joe Brandon cut inside from the left before hitting a tame shot at the Cables stopper Mitchell Allen. The effort was parried but was very quickly collected.

The first great chance of the match came for the Cables in the 13th minute as the ball was played nicely into the box and was very nearly placed into the back of the net but for a save by Atkinson who had reacted excellently.

The keeper was making his second appearance for the Motors since his move from Bury AFC.

The hosts managed to open the scoring when a well worked corner was put into the back of Atkinson’s net by the unmarked Murphy.

Holmes was forced into making his first change midway into the first half when the threatening Brandon was replaced by full-back Joe Levey, with Nugent pushing up to his favoured role on the wing.

However, it was the hosts that remained on top as debutant striker John McGrath hit the far post with a good strike just before the break.

Motors came back out seemingly refreshed, Ben Dufton-Kelly replacing Lewis Willingham in the heart of defence.

It didn’t take a minute for the score line to be levelled when Harvey fired his one-on-one opportunity into the roof of the net, following an exquisite pass from the creative Jordan Deer.

Holmes’ side were playing much better football as they aimed to edge themselves in to the lead. However, the Prescot defence remained tight.

Great defending by Vauxhall’s Adam Hughes denied a tap in at the front post with 15 minutes left to play.

McDonnell marked his return back to action, replacing Leo Riley and he had a chance on goal soon after coming on but he failed to connect with the ball.

Another brilliant save by Atkinson, in the 85th minute, pushed the ball over the bar as the Motormen returned to The Port having picked up their first point of 2024.

Vauxhall Motors are back in action next Saturday afternoon as they travel to face Clitheroe