Chichester City shared the points again on Monday with an entertaining and high tempo draw with Arundel at Church Road - a big improvement on the tepid display at Southwick on Saturday.

City welcomed back Alex Ward to the midfield and pushed Callum Cutler up front to replace the injured Scott Murfin and Darren Hickman was recalled in defence to replace Rob Chamberlain, another casualty from the Southwick game.

Ward was quickly involved setting Adrian Brockway away down the left to provide a cross that Scott Tipper struck over the crossbar and Brockway himself then angled a shot come cross tantilisingly across the face of the goal.

Arundel also had their chances with Belal Miah clearing off the line from Simon Clayton and Gary Smart saving a shot from Matthew Axell.

Tipper then saw a decent header deflected over the visitors crossbar and Cutler put a Matt Smith corner just wide before the interval.

Arundel began to get on top after the break and Smart did well to turn a long range effort from John Sutcliffe over the bar then saw the same player drop a header from Matt Huckett’s free kick a fraction over the crossbar.

Smart saved again from Clayton as City were forced back but they still created two decent chances on the counter attack as Matt Smith headed wide from Hickman’s angled cross and Brockway broke clear onto James Smith pass only to steer his effort wide with only Ben O’Connor in the Arundel goal to beat.

Dave Walker then stabbed a cross the wrong side of the City post before the host side took a 73^rd minute lead. Substitute Jamie Angell started the move that travelled via Matt Smith for Cutler to cut inside and set up Tipper for his 15^th goal of the season with a pull back from the goal line.

O’Connor then saved a one-on-one with Cutler before Arundel grabbed a late equaliser. Huckett’s free kick into a crowded penalty area was glanced goalwards by Jason Wimbleton and crept inside the far post via the upright to give Smart no chance.

It wasn’t quite over yet and both sides briefly threatened before the final whistle confirmed that the honours would be even. 

Report written by Trevor Wallis

Chichester Team: Smart: Miah, Smith J., Hickman, Guarnaccio, Smith M., Ward, Vongas, Tipper, Cutler & Brockway.
Subs: Angell (used), Corbin, Banks and Stimpson (not used)
Scorers: Tipper

Attendance: 120