ADAM Cartlidge rescued a point for Cheadle Town with a clinical strike 15 minutes from time in Saturday's top-of-the-table encounter against Stone Dominoes.

Head coach Steve Austin had claimed that "our season starts here" in reference to Saturday's crunch clash against fellow promotion contenders Stone.

But Town were forced to twice come from behind to prevent one of their main rivals stealing a march in the race for promotion from Division One of the Staffordshire County Senior League.

Stone dominated the opening stages.

And the visitors made the early superiority count when Chris Moore was first to react to the rebound after striker Gareth Rowe hit the bar.

It took until the 17th minute for Cheadle to get a shot on target.

Cartlidge, pictured right, exchanged passes with Mark Kent, but his subsequent shot lacked power and Stone keeper Barry Weston easily gathered.

Cheadle eventually drew level in the 25th minute.

Following excellent movement down the left, Alex Wood flicked the ball into the path of Kent, who arrived at the near post to drive home.

But just when Cheadle believed they had forced their way back into the game, Stone struck again.

Mark Johnson could only head a corner kick out to the edge of the goal area on 31 minutes and Rowe volleyed home.

Cheadle continued to battle and were unlucky not to level again in the 39th minute.

Full-back Dominic Corkery made ground down the right and crossed to Cartlidge, whose powerful header beat Weston, but flew inches past the upright.

One minute later, a long throw from Cartlidge almost paved the way for Alex Wood to strike, but Weston dived at the forward's feet to prevent the strike.

A header from Mark Simpson then had Stuart Ford springing into action.

The Cheadle keeper pushed the ball on to the bar and was able to claim at the second attempt.

Chris Moore failed to take advantage of a good opportunity on the back post with a volley that flew wide as Stone continued to threaten.

Alex Wood countered for Cheadle, but Weston came off his line to parry the ball away for a corner.

After the break, a strike from Cartlidge forced Weston push the ball around his right post.

Jon Evans sent in the corner and Andy Elkes was unlucky to see his header go just wide.

Evans continued to press forward and teed up Kent, whose shot narrowly cleared the bar.

Stone offered plenty of threat of their own and Ford got down well to save a firmly stuck shot from Rowe.

Good pressure from Cheadle saw Evans's volley stopped by Weston.

Kent then earned a free-kick. Dave Brown curled the ball over the Stone defence, but Cartlidge was unable to control his volley.

With Town increasingly anxious to force an equaliser, Marc Hubbard ventured forward.

Exchanges between Wood, Kent and Cartlidge tore open the defence and Tim Evans arrived to add further attacking threat, but his cross from the left flew harmlessly past the far post.

The goal finally arrived in the 75th minute.

Brown produced a forceful run down the middle of the park, before splitting the Stone defence with a neat pass to Cartlidge, who produced an accomplished finish.

Wood almost set Cartlidge up again in the 80th minute, but Weston beat Cartlidge to the ball with a brave save.

With just two minutes to go, Guy Martin had a great chance to win the game for Cheadle.

Evans provided the ammunition with a far-post cross, but Martin spurned the opportunity.

On Saturday, Cheadle Town are away at Keele (2.30pm).