ALVECHURCH midfielder Lloyd Dawkins crowned his return from a lengthy injury lay-off with the equaliser as Church stormed back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Shirley Town on Saturday.

Dawkins came off the bench to complete his comeback from knee trouble but Lye Meadow manager Andy Hibbert said it was a strange game.

The Alvechurch boss admitted his hunt for another striker had drawn a blank but said there could be reinforcements over the Christmas period.

Long-term casualty Ross Knight is the only absentee for Saturday's tough trip to third placed Coventry Sphinx (ko 2.45pm).