Nantwich Town 1 AFC Telford United 1

And it was certainly given a testing examination at lower-league Nantwich Town tonight.

The Evo-Stik Premier side made light of the two division gulf between them and the Bucks in a tough and sometimes bruising pre-season friendly, which ended 1-1 thanks to Mike Phenix's late equaliser.

Watson made seven changes to the starting XI from Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough with Wes Baynes, Andy Owens, Mike Phenix, Mike Grogan, Adam Farrell, Sean Clancy and Andy Todd all coming in to a side which was set up in a 3-4-3 formation for the first 45 minutes.

Kristian Platt, Sean Cooke, Charlie Barnett, Tony Gray, Sam Smith and Jordan Deacey moved to the bench in their places while Godfrey Poku, who is expected to complete his signing latter this week, was not in the side.

Nantwich's starting XI included Mat Bailey, who had a brief spell at the Bucks last season, and ex-Telford striker Steve Jones, who spent nearly two years at the club between 2011-2013.

Andy White had the game's first chance and he was not far away from an opener for the hosts when his fierce low 20-yard drive struck the side netting on eight minutes.

But at the other end Owens went even closer with a rasping volley just a few seconds later which Steve Phillips did well to tip over the bar.

Nantwich's Vinnie Mukundi did well to beat Steve Akrigg out on the right two minutes later but his shot on the angle failed to trouble Jonathan Hedge.

But Mike Grogan had Phillips scrambling to the far post with a sharp shot on the turn from the edge of the box.

Mukundi again got free on the right for the home side soon afterwards though and only Neill Byrne's outstretched boot prevented his dangerous low cross from finding a Nantwich team mate in the box.

And Mat Bailey should have put the hosts ahead on 26 minutes, only to shin his effort wide of the near post after Kyle Blake had floated in a superb cross from the right.

It was not shaping up to be a great spectacle but it was certainly competitive with some robust challenges going in from both sides.

Owens did well to beat two markers on his way into the box 12 minutes before the break but, having ended up on the floor 12 yards out, was judged to have dived as appeals for a penalty were waved away.

And Phillips had to be alert to turn behind a Telford long throw which was allowed to reach his near post two minutes later.

But the Dabbers continued to give as good as they got, and Chris Lever did well to clear a threatening White cross from virtually underneath his own crossbar inside the final 10 minutes of the half.

Andy Todd saw his low drive deflected wide just before the interval though and Nantwich skipper Mark Jones almost put into his own net seconds later, forcing a stretching save from his own keeper after mis-directing his clearance from Adam Farrell's curing free-kick.

Neither side made changes at the interval and there was little to choose between the sides in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

But Farrell drew a strong save from Phillips after great work from Owens to put him in in the box.

It proved a costly miss as Steve Jones pounced to drill home from the right hand side of the area just after the hour mark to put Nantwich in front.

Telford could have responded almost immediately but Farrell could not quite reach substitute Sean Cooke's excellent free-kick to the far post a minute later.

Fellow substitute Jordan Deacey tested Phillips reflexes soon afterwards with a curling far post effort which was tipped just behind.

Charlie Barnett went into the book with 20 minutes remaining for a late challenge, but in truth there could have been several more shown a yellow card in a hotly contested match.

Max Harrop should have wrapped things up for Nantwich seconds later but could only guide Mukundi's far post cross behind from close range,

But Mike Phenix drew a fine finger tip save from Phillips with a well-placed header from a tight angle.

And he made no mistake 14 minutes from normal time, turning home Tony Gray's right wing cross from close range to rescue a point.

The goalscorer had a decent shout for a penalty late on after he appeared to be brought down in the box but it ended honours even.