Phew. A full-blooded EFL encounter on a Thursday night, whatever next?

A game played in 2024 but with echoes of bygone decades, Salford and Stockport have shared the points and the local pride.

We'll be back on Saturday lunchtime for a full programme of action from the Championship, Leagues One and Two. Do join us for six-plus hours of fun.

Until then, thanks for your company tonight, and enjoy the remainder of your evening.

Image source, BBC Sport

Stockport have their green arrow, they are back into second place and only two points behind Mansfield with a game in hand.

It might have been better but it could have been worse... they would surely settle for an automatic promotion place and they have a three-point lead over the chasing pack.

Image source, BBC Sport

It looks a useful point for Salford who might be five without a win, but they have at least stopped the rot.

They are now nine points clear of the drop zone, although Colchester do have three games in hand on them now.

Former Salford player and Stockport goalscorer Ibou Touray told Sky Sports: "I had a lot of good years here, it was nice to come back, it was good to get a goal and help the team get a point.

"A lot of teams dropped points the other day, we wanted to to come here and get three points but it wasn't to be.

"At the end of the day we scrapped it out and came away with a point."

Stockport forward Paddy Madden told Sky Sports: "The big man [Matt Smith] caused us a few problems and the pitch didn't help, but in the end we got back to doing what we do, moving the ball a bit quicker and we got two good goals to get us back in it.

"It was good character from the boys to get back into it and get the point."

Steve Eyre
Former Salford player on BBC Radio Lancashire

I'm a little bit surprised there was no impulsive reaction from either side to go for the winner when the board went up with seven minutes. They passed the ball back and forth, they committed fouls, they gave up the opportunity to score.

Stockport have thought more about promotion than the title and they will think this is a good point.

And breathe... that was a good advert for League Two and for football in Greater Manchester. It had everything and the players gave everything, you can't ask for much more.

Luke Garbutt's swirling blockbuster and Curtis Tilt's well-worked header had Salford on the way to what looked a precious win, but sub Ibou Touray and Tanto Olaofe prodded home after the break to ensure a share of the points.

A point apiece, only time will tell whether it's a useful one for either or both of these sides.

Image source, Lewis Storey/Getty Images

Errors aplenty from both sides in these closing stages. Tanto Olaofe pounces on a loose pass and drives to the byline but his attempt to find Paddy Madden is diverted behind for a corner, which Alex Cairns plucks out of the wet sky superbly under his crossbar. Great goalkeeping.

SEVEN added minutes, taking us to 14 for the match, after the same number in the first half.

Plenty of tired legs and minds out there. Will there be a decisive moment?

It's actually Salford who are finishing the stronger here and showing the most intent. Stockport had done most of the job, but not sure they are willing to risk losing to chase a winner.

Steve O'Halloran
Former Stockport defender on BBC Radio Manchester

Stockport have stopped doing what got them back in this game. They keep playing from the back. It's bitty, they are trying to pull passes together.

The best ball in the last few minutes was a direct hit. We are back to passing, which on this pitch is quite difficult.

Five minutes, plus added time, remain for one of these sides to seek out a winner? A point apiece feels like it would be just about fair at this stage. It's certainly been a game of two halves.

One change apiece. Junior Luamba is taken off by Salford, he might have been sent off for a second booking after that penalty appeal, of course, but Matty Lund is on to try to make himself an Ammies hero.

Callum Camps is off for County with Myles Hippolyte the new face for the visitors.

Theo Vassell's header from Elliott Watt's subsequent free-kick fizzed just over the crossbar, though the offside flag was already up against the hosts.

Sub turned goalscorer Ibou Touray is the latest player to be cautioned after his sliding clearance followed through into a nasty looking lunge against his former club.

That's six bookings in total, with four for the hosts.

Rico Richards picks up the ball on the right of the area and that wand of a left foot is waved once again, only this time his cross is too close to Alex Cairns who claims.

Steve Eyre
Former Salford player on BBC Radio Lancashire

I'm interested to see which way this game is going to go.

Eventually the clock will go down and Salford City will scrap away for a draw. Stockport should have higher ambition.

Paddy Madden and Kyle Wootton exchange passes neatly but Madden's angled shot is too close to Alex Cairns who gathers.

This game has had pretty much everything so far, and now it has a squally rain shower too. A sympathetic background Shakespeare would be proud of with just 15 minutes and change left to play.

Ben Hinchliffe has been a bystander for much of the second half so Callum Hendry tries his luck from 25-yards with a first-time effort across his body but gets it all wrong, sending the ball as far wide as he was away from goal.

That is at least Salford's first shot of the half. Stockport have had NINE.

Declan John goes into the book for Salford for delaying the restart by lingering over a throw-in.

He can't say the players haven't been warned all season long...