CHRIS Hardy rescued unbeaten leaders Rhyl & District with a late equaliser as surprise mid-table opponents Timperley earned an unexpected 1-1 draw in their North Wales Hockey League clash at St Asaph.
Rhyl were missing key pair Adam Judge and Jeff Hodgkinson and were rocked by Timperley's second half goal.
With man-of-the-match Wayne Ricketts outstanding at left back and Gaz Davies dominant in central midfield, Rhyl were always a threat and with barely five minutes remaining they got a deserved draw.
Despite dropping two home points, Rhyl are still a point clear of Bangor University who they play at Bangor on Saturday.
RHYL Ladies team are still looking for their first league win after an 8-4 defeat at Dysynni.
Two early goals put Rhyl on the back foot, but as fine pass from Anna Pennington set Val Morris free, who beat two defenders to pull a goal back.
Dysynni scored two more goals, but another Morris strike saw Rhyl go in at the break 4-2 down.
The ladies came out fighting in the second half, and some fine wing play led to Hannah Roberts scoring twice to keep her side in it until Dysynni put the game beyond Rhyl's reach.