The draw stretched Leamington's unbeaten run to six games, but Evesham's 1-0 home win over Dunstable put them top on goal difference with a game in hand.

Robbie Beard, who scored the winner against Cinderford last Tuesday, made his first start in place of Vijay Sidhu and fellow newcomer Keith Rostill was on the bench.

Liam Reynolds returned to the starting line-up after picking up an injury on New Year's Day, but captain Arron Parkinson was absent with a groin strain.

Captain Steve Palmer starred as the Lockmen made the better start, although Martin Thompson might have done better when through on visiting keeper Daniel Woodhall.

A well-worked Willenhall free-kick in the 26th minute saw Craig Gregg head over from Shaun Platt's cross and Tyrone Barnett just failed to connect with a cross from the right with the goal at his mercy.

It took a point-blank save from Richard Morris to thwart Palmer and the half ended with home fans appealing in vain for a penalty after Robbie Beard went down in the area.

Brakes re-started more positively and, after Beard was bundled over by Nathan Jackson, it took a good save from Woodhall to keep out a Jamie Towers free-kick. They looked to have scored on 51 minutes, but Adam Cooper's effort was cleared off the line.

Despite this pressure Willenhall struck first when Barnett sent a low shot into the corner past Morris just before the hour-mark. Barnett could have sealed a win, but shot wide with only Morris to beat.

That encouraged Brakes and they started to play the kind of attacking football the fans had come to see. Herlihy levelled with a stunning left-foot shot from outside the area.

In a final flourish Marcus Jackson, also coming off the bench after injury, drew a fine save from Woodhall to deny Brakes a winner.

Rostill showed some neat touches when coming on in place of Thompson and this ex-Alvechurch striker will be competing to start alongside Beard in Tuesday's showdown with title favourites Chasetown.

Cadden said: "We took ages to get going and I was happy to go in at half-time still level."

"We created a lot more in the second half and I was pleased with the passing that led to Stuart's goal. In the end, a draw was a fair result and, with some of the other leading clubs slipping up, was a point gained."

Brakes: Richard Morris (capt], Jamie Towers, Guy Sanders, Adam Cooper, Martin Hier, Craig Dutton (Stuart Herlihy 64), Liam Reynolds, Ben Mackey (Marcus Jackson 85), Martin Thompson (Keith Rostill 66), Robbie Beard, James Husband. Subs not used: Vijay Sidhu, Ryan Parisi. Att 603.