Ashby Ivanhoe 2 Skegness Town 2

Ashby's five-match winning run came to an end as the spoils were shared in a pulsating encounter with play-off challengers Skegness.

Ivanhoe came into the match 10 points behind their opponents but with two matches in hand, and they made the perfect start as they looked to close the gap.

Fourteen minutes in, Sam Grouse fired the hosts ahead with a fiercely struck drive which flashed past the goalkeeper at his near post

This was as good as it got for Andy Gray's side before the break as Skegness equalised almost immediately through McCauley Parker, who scrambled the ball home from less than a yard following Sam Taylor's initial save.

Ivanhoe were then reduced to 10 as Chris Acott was sent to the sin bin, with the visitors striking the bar from no more than a yard within 60 seconds of having a man advantage.

Further frustration came for Ivanhoe as they were denied what they believed to be a stonewall penalty, and just three minutes later they were dealt the ultimate blow as Skegness took the lead for the first time.

Setpieces were a challenge for Ashby throughout the contest, and they were punished for being unable to clear their lines, as Luke Rayner-Mistry fired home as the corner fell to him on the edge of the box.

Perhaps feeling that the deficit was unjust, Ivanhoe came out swinging after the break, and found an equaliser just seven minutes into the half.

Leavi Oshungbure expertly won possession high up the pitch before sliding a pass through to Acott on the left. He found Will Groocock in the six-yard box who stroked the ball into the empty net.

Skegness looked to have lost momentum, however on the hour mark they were handed a huge opportunity to retake the lead as referee George Younger, who had waved away a similar incident for Ivanhoe in the first half, pointed to the penalty spot.

Taylor came to his team's rescue, diving low to his left and getting fingertips on the resulting spot kick to turn it against the post and keep the game in the balance.

Ivanhoe were down to 10 again following the incident as Jake Conkay went into the sin bin. However, once he returned to the fray, his side looked the far likelier to grab a winner.

The closest they came was when Grouse's goalbound header was miraculously turned over the bar by Caleb Pipes-Goulsbra, who while racing across his line was somehow able to adjust his body to make the save as Grouse headed the ball across him.

Further drama came after the final whistle as Cenk Acar was shown a red card.

Perhaps an incident which highlighted the intensity of what was one Ivanhoe's most competitive matches of the season.

They will have another battle on their hands on Wednesday night as they host Loughborough Students. The scholars have won 12 of their last 13 in the league and will arrive to Farley Way full of confidence.