It was neither trick nor treat for Rossington Main at Cannon Park on Saturday as Rosso were held to a 1-1 draw against Retford United on Halloween.

Ollie Currie’s second strike in four days was cancelled out after the break by Alans Voskresenski’s well-worked equaliser, denying Main a third win in the space of seven days.

As in midweek, the game started with real thrust as both sides looked to make their mark in the early knockings.

Oli Nowak was the man driving the game forward for Rosso, testing the back line with his customary direct running, which saw him go close with a deflected effort and test Harvey Woodward’s readiness in the first five minutes.

The pendulum would then swing the way of The Badgers, who threatened with several early crosses, but the visitors survived Alexander Duhameau’s wide header and Adam Watson did enough to get in the way of Oliver Wilson’s effort.

But Nowak wrestled back momentum for Rosso as he thundered forward, twice drifting past his full-back, though the winger could only find the side netting and fire comfortably at Woodward.

Rosso’s other attacking threats then joined the side’s joint top scorer in setting the tempo with Ross Hannah unfortunate not to be the man to grab the first of the afternoon when his attempt from the middle of the goal was blocked at close range.

Currie would be the one to deservedly break the deadlock on 18 minutes after some smart, incisive football set up the in-form midfielder to superbly hit the ball on the turn, finding the bottom left corner for his fifth of the campaign.

The attacks continued to come too, as the hosts’ defence had to remain on their toes to avoid incurring any further damage. Rob Guilfoyle was the most likely to compound the deficit in this spell, patiently working the angle to get a sight on goal, but a nick off the defender would divert its course for a corner.

A break in play allowed United to take advantage and regroup as they started to find their attacking edge. Fortunately for Rossington, Kian Johnson was on hand to take command and push away Brandon Kane and Phillip Watt’s attempts at clawing a goal back before the interval.

Chances became more limited for Main after play resumed, with the best falling the way of Hannah, whose hard work fashioned himself an invitation to lob the ‘keeper, just failing to apply the required lift.

Retford United were the more productive of the teams from then on. Carlton Carty thought he had stunned Johnson with his cross almost dipping under the crossbar, while Voskresenski and Watt both fired over.

The introduction of Harry Wilson after the hour mark looked to be a wise move in restoring control over the game, as the midfielder found himself at the heart of several attacking moves, but just as the tide looked to be turning, Voskresenski was on hand to turn in Duhameau’s cut-back for 1-1.

It took a little time to re-adjust, but after screening another United chance, it might’ve been Rosso who would emerge as winners when Wilson’s low shot dragged narrowly wide of the far post after taking a slight touch off a defender. This before Guilfoyle ran out of time to pull the trigger and threaten for a second.

Five minutes of added time ensued, and, with the clock ticking, George Noble gave The Badgers fans a fright when he headed Mason Warren’s corner just off target at the death.

A competitive battle ended even with both sides deserving of a point, leaving the gap between the two sides still at five points, but crucially Rosso have not lost any ground on the play-off spots.

Rosso XI: (GK) Johnson, Wainwright, Warne (85’ Mohamed), Watson, Fielding, Currie (84’ Noble), Warren, Mitchell, Guilfoyle, Hannah (65’ Wilson), Nowak (90+4’ Holloway)

Unused: Phillipson