NEWLY-CROWNED champions Retford United travelled to Wales as they looked to stretch their unbeaten run to 14 games.

And befitting of a team that has dominated the division from start to finish, the Badgers were given a guard of honour as they ran out.

United had the first effort on goal when Ryan Ford latched onto a pass from Mick Godber and fired in a shot from outside the box, but Jamie Speare in the Bay goal saved.

Steve Owens almost created an opportunity when his cross almost found the oncoming Mick Goddard and Ryan Hindley who were pressuring Speare, but the 'keeper managed to get up and collect the ball in the air.

Joe Fowler then had a speculative shot for Colwyn Bay, but Ross Turner had it well covered, and then Anthony Wright's shot at goal was wide.

Michael Simpkins produced a superb challenge as it looked as if Colwyn Bay were about to get clean through, but a well-timed tackle enabled the defender to scoop the ball away.

The opening goal came in the 25th minute through Bay's prolific scorer Neil Black.

Black's first shot was superbly parried by Turner into the path of Wright who powered a shot at goal, and once again Turner was athletic enough to turn away the shot, but Black was on hand to knock in the second rebound.

United then applied more pressure and the Godber-Goddard connection almost bore fruit when the two combined to give Godber a shooting opportunity that came off the defender as far as Ford, but as Ford raced into the box, the referee spotted an infringement and awarded a free-kick to Colwyn Bay.

United picked up where they left off at the second half with Goddard's flick on being hit by Godber, but the striker watched in disbelief as his effort sailed over the bar.

A double substitution saw the introduction of Neil Harvey and Ollie Chappell. The equaliser came shortly after when on 71 minutes, Simpkins turned in a corner that clipped a Colwyn Bay defender on its way into the roof of the net.

Hearts were in mouths after a free-kick for Colwyn Bay rattled the Retford post, but United looked like they'd won it deep into injury time when a succession of corners eventually led to Ben Chambers heading home at the far post.

He turned to celebrate only to see the assistant referee insisting that the ball was still in play and had not crossed the line after a frantic clearance from the defence.

As the season draws to a close, United have their last home fixture against Brigg Town on Saturday, then travel to Stocksbridge Park Steels for their final midweek game on Tuesday.

The Chairman's Cup will be contested between United and the eventual winners of the Northern Division. A friendly game at Cannon Park on 3rd May will feature a mixture of first-team players and supporters to be followed by the presentation evening, open to all.