The visitors opened the scoring after 12 minutes, but Newton responded almost immediately. James Bateman supplied Ethan Appleby, who finished from close range to bring the scores level.

Appleby was at the heart of Newton’s attacking threat throughout the first half and soon had his second, latching onto a long ball from Jordan Dunne before lifting an excellent finish over the goalkeeper from outside the area.

Stretford Paddock responded quickly once again, however, making it 2-2 before the break despite Ollie Foy producing a couple of important saves to keep Newton in the contest.

Newton came flying out after half-time and took the lead within three minutes of the restart through Joe Sigsworth. The advantage was doubled shortly afterwards when Appleby turned provider, delivering for Jordan Dunne to finish and put Newton 4-2 ahead.

The home side then had chances to put the game beyond reach.

Dunne rattled the crossbar before substitute Dan Hankinson also struck the woodwork from a free kick. Kaine Mulligan was denied by the goalkeeper and Appleby came agonisingly close to completing his hat-trick when his effort came back off the post.

Those missed opportunities proved costly when Stretford Paddock pulled one back with around 12 minutes remaining to make it 4-3 and set up a tense finish.

Newton continued to create chances, with Hankinson and Appleby both denied as they searched for the goal that would finally put the game to bed.

Instead, the final twist came deep into stoppage time. A long-range Stretford Paddock effort caught Newton out and found the net to make it 4-4, denying the Reserves all three points with virtually the final action of the game.

It was a frustrating ending for Newton after leading by two and hitting the woodwork three times, but another point on the board following an entertaining afternoon of attacking football.