Accrington Stanley 1 Whitby Town 1

STAR striker Billy O'Callaghan has ended months of speculation by signing a new two-year contract with Accrington Stanley.

The 32-goal hitman has been a revelation in his first season at the Crown and his decision to pledge his future to the club is sure to boost the Reds bid for a quick return to the UniBond Premier Division.

But Stanley's player-of-the-year couldn't sign off with a goal as Wayne Harrison's men had to settle for a point after another encouraging display in their final game of the season.

Twice in the opening half hour, the quicksilver striker came closest to breaking the deadlock.

After six minutes, his well struck drive was palmed away by Whitby keeper Patrick Kenny and, 20 minutes later, he latched onto Jamie Speare's long clearance in a flash but his shot came back off the post.

Those misses proved costly as the visitors took a shock lead two minutes into first half injury time when Dave Logan curled an exquisite free kick over Stanley's defensive wall and past the helpless Speare.

The Reds stepped up the pressure after the break as Ged Walsh hit a superb shot on the turn but Kenny saved again.

And Paul Heavey met Gareth Seddon's inviting centre on 70 minutes but his header flashed inches over the crossbar.

But Stanley's patience eventually paid off with nine minutes left when Seddon burst into the box and was brought down by Kenny and Heavey stepped up to score from the spot to secure a well-earned point.

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