Parkway again started the half brightly with the visitors Alex Kelly picking up an early caution for dissent after committing a foul on the edge of the 18 yard with Garside firing the free kick wide. Parkway continued to press and on 52 minutes a Walton error at the back allowed Wright to get in behind the defence with keeper Tyla Dickinson doing well to nick the ball off the striker’s feet and deny Wright getting his shot away.

On 55 minutes another Parkway free kick deep to the far post was cleared only as far as Callum Rose who headed back into the danger area with again the ball being cleared. Walton made their first change on the hour with Aunde Todd on debut replacing Garcia. Parkway continued to press for the equaliser forcing a number of free kicks from a by now under pressure Walton defence with Garside’s kick on 64 minutes bouncing around in the 6 yard area eventually being cleared. This resulted in setting up a Walton counter attack from which they doubled their lead in the 65th minute.

A break along the right saw Todd and Stan Flaherty combine with the latter’s angled drive parried away by Parkes with Johl Powell pouncing on the loose ball and scrambling home the rebound with their first effort on target of the half.   

Parkway immediately replaced Rose with a not fully fit Hall and adjusted their shape and formation slightly. Parkway continued to apply pressure with the visitors defence holding firm and on 68 minutes Bray-Evans went clear along the right crossing to Jones whose snapshot on the turn from around 18 yards flashed narrowly wide.

Walton countered on 71 minutes with Flaherty cutting inside from the right and firing a left footed drive well wide with Shaun Joseph then replacing Cameron Thompson for their 2nd and final substitution. Walton were now having a period of control in midfield and seemingly content to sit on their lead with Parkway unable to penetrate the visitor’s robust defence.

However on 73 minutes a cross from the right by Garside saw Wright knock down a header to Bray-Evans whose shot from around 10 yards was blocked and cleared. With Walton coming under increasing pressure Todd was cautioned for a foul on 76 minutes as the visitors looked to continually break up play and slow the game down with a series of stoppages and time absorbing tactics.

With Jones now playing wider on the left he forced a corner after a strong run forward with Wright heading narrowly over. Walton continued to play on the counter and on 81 minutes Powell was cautioned for over protesting after Kelly went down rather too easily in the penalty area.

With Parkway continuing to threaten they grabbed a lifeline in the 82nd minute. Patient build up play along the right saw a Shane White cross cleared and then recycled by Parkway on the left teeing up Hall in a central position who showing good composure, calmly and clinically caressed his side footed shot low into the bottom left hand corner from around 15 yards. This inspired Parkway who continued to press and force the pace as they went hunting for an equaliser. From the restart Jones raced clear wide on the left and cut inside only to fire into the side netting. On 85 minutes Jones was again in the action seeing another shot blocked for another corner as Parkway piled on the pressure with the visitors now hanging on.

Parkway’s persistent pressure and belief finally paid off in the 88th minute as they grabbed a deserved equaliser. They forced another corner on the left which was swung in with Wright climbing highest to knock down a header which fell to Jones who reacted instinctively and smartly to lash his shot into the roof of the net from close range to set up a tense, nervous finish.

The goal forced Walton to come out more forcing Parkway on to the defensive with Hall doing well to track back to break down an attack. In the 6 minutes of added time Walton pressed forward winning a couple of free kicks in dangerous areas with Parkway now defending in numbers. Walton almost won it at the death winning a free kick centrally on the edge of the 18 yard box with Flaherty’s effort flashing narrowly wide of the Parkes’ left hand post. Parkway made one last foray forward which was broken up in midfield with the referee calling time shortly after.

An entertaining game against a well organised, compact Walton side who took the 2 of the very few chances that came their way and looked set to win the game having gone 2-0 up leaving Parkway looking down and out at that stage. However after a couple of subtle changes in formation they somehow managed to summon up the desire and belief to drag their tired bodies and minds back into the game.

Their never say die attitude and commitment cannot be overstated and their efforts were rewarded by clawing the deficit back so late in the game to gain a hard earned and well deserved point which may well prove vital in the final analysis.

Other results on the day sees Harrow Borough confirmed as the 2nd team to be relegated joining Didcot Town. Parkway remain in 20th place, the 3rd relegation slot, on 44 points still 2 points from safety with 3 games still to play in the final 6 days of the season. 2 of those games are against teams also in the relegation battle, a home game on Wednesday with 19th placed Hayes and Yeading on 45 points and away at 17th placed Beaconsfield Town on 47 points in the final game of the season next Saturday. Prior to those games 3rd placed AFC Totton, already guaranteed a playoff place and who could finish 2nd, visit Bolitho Park on Monday in a much rearranged game after numerous postponements. For some reason the final midweek games of the season are on a Monday and Wednesday instead of the usual Tuesday and Thursday. 

Either way a massive effort will be required by, management, staff and players to summon up the physical and mental strength, desire, conviction and courage just 3 more times if Parkway are to gain whatever points may be needed if they are to avoid the drop and maintain their Southern League Premier Division status after what has been extremely difficult and frustrating season. Supporters can play their part too by attending in numbers and providing encouragement and noise to create a positive atmosphere to lift the team.