STRUGGLING Knypersley Vics bounced back from their thrashing by Stourport to earn an excellent point against highflying Stourbridge.

The Vics drew 1-1 at home against their second-placed opponents on Saturday, coming from behind to level the match.

The vital point lifted Knypersley to fifth from bottom after Pelsall Villa lost at third-placed Stourport.

The game saw the debut for Vics' new boy Joe Tomkinson, aged 20, signed from Nationwide Division Three side Torquay United.

Knypersley's first real chance came when Tomkinson headed wide from a Stanway free kick, and Burndred shot narrowly wide on 10 minutes.

Michael Moore, the league's leading scorer, fired wide for Stourbridge, and the visitors took the lead on 24 minutes against the run of play.

Moore curled a superb free kick round the wall into the bottom corner.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men when Bedson for the Vics clashed with Robinson from Stourbridge, and the referee sent them off.

Just before the break Burndred saw his well-taken free kick cleared, and Tomkinson did well to head away an effort by Moore.

Constant second half pressure from the Vics paid off on 62 minutes when they levelled the match.

Brownsword played the ball inside to Redgate, whose shot was blocked in front of goal.

Burndred pounced on the loose ball to fire home from an acute angle.

Stourbridge came close with nine minutes left when keeper Dalloway tipped a drive from Moore around the post.

Knypersley had their chance to win the game four minutes later, Stourbridge keeper Alden producing the save of the game to keep out a Burndred header.

* Knypersley travel to Willenhall tomorrow, and Bridgnorth Town next Tuesday.