Hendon and East Thurrock United played out their sixth Ryman League Premier Division draw in their past eight meetings, this one a 1-1 draw at Earlsmead on Monday night. As the Rocks won their home games in both 2011-12 and 2013-14, one has to go back to November 2007 for the last time Hendon came out on top.

The Greens kept the same starting 11 for a third straight match, though Peter Dean was back on the bench at the expense of Scott Cousins.

This was a thoroughly entertaining game, with two different styles ensuring interest for the crowd of 177, the biggest ever for a Ryman League Premier Division encounter between these two teams and more than 68 percent up on last year's clash at Earlsmead.

The Rocks have enjoyed a good run of form this winter and went into the game knowing that a victory would lift them level on points with the Greens, though they needed a four-goal win to move in Hendon's fourth place in the table - and they have played two more games.

The first chance of the game came Hendon's way, in the seventh minute, when Kevin Maclaren delivered a free-kick into the East Thurrock penalty area. Kezie Ibe did well to lose his marker, but not so well to fail to hit the target with his attempt on goal.

Five minutes later, the Rocks took the lead. A ball was delivered into the penalty and Sam Higgins connected with it. Ben McNamara kept the ball out, but the rebound fell to Kye Ruel, who despatched it without fuss.

In the 19th minute, Dave Diedhiou produced a brilliant tackle to take the ball cleanly off the feet of Joe Paxman. The Rocks player went down and the travelling fans bayed for a penalty, but although Diedhiou's challenge was very risky, it was perfectly-timed and was not a foul.

A minute later, Andre Da Costa tried his luck with long-range shot. It had the power, and the direction, but the height was wrong as the ball sailed over David Hughes's crossbar.

It was not long before Hendon were back on level terms. A right wing corner was curled into the danger area, the ball bounced around and when it fell to Charlie Goode, the centre-back lashed it into the back of the net for his first Hendon goal. East Thurrock defenders complained about the goal, but probably more at each other for failing to deal with the danger than at the referee for a foul.

Most of the rest of the half was played in midfield, with neither team creating a huge amount of chances. One good run from the Rocks midfield deserved far better than the shot which followed; it flew over the goal, wall and bounced on the clubhouse roof.

Two minutes into the second half, East Thurrock won a free-kick just outside the penalty area. The shot which followed beat McNamara but went outside the goalpost.

If Goode and Elliott Brathwaite were good in keeping Michael Gilby and Sam Higgins quiet, then the same could be said for Simon Peddie and Ben Wood, who won almost all their battles with Leon Smith and Ibe.

In the 59th minute, Dave Diedhiou showed excellent technique when he drilled a shot goalwards. It was rocketing towards the top corner, before Hughes produced an outstanding save to concede a corner.

This was easily the best piece of goalkeeping in the match, because pretty much everything else, from either team - what little there was - was directed either at the goalkeeper or went off target.

Midway through the second half, Hendon lost possession just outside the East Thurrock penalty area leading to a rapid counter-attack. When the ball was played into the danger area, a Hendon defender was able to stretch to clear the ball before Higgins could pounce.

Da Costa and Ibe went off with around 20 minutes remaining, replaced by Sam Murphy and Aaron Morgan respectively. The latter made a couple of good runs, but they were nipped in the bud before they could become too dangerous.

Connor Witherspoon took over from Paxman for the final half-dozen minutes, but the game seemed certain to end in stalemate. That said, the Rocks upped their tempo in the dying stages and kept the ball in and around the Hendon penalty area for a good three or four minutes.

There was one final free-kick for Hendon to survive in stoppage time. The wall, standing well inside the Greens' penalty area, however, was well constructed and the ball thudded off the shins of one of the Hendon defenders before being lashed away to safety.