The points were shared as Kings Langley hosted AFC Dunstable on Saturday afternoon, with Bradley Smith’s second-half strike equalising after Kyle Lynch had put the visitors in front in the first period.

While the early stages were scrappy and there was little to separate the sides, Kings took control after the break and could have completed the turnaround with plenty of opportunities to take the lead.

The afternoon’s first shot fell to Dunstable and Sean Duodu, but it was a comfortable save for Graham Stack making his debut in the Kings Langley net.

The former Arsenal shot-stopper came in for Cian Moore, who has been recalled from his loan spell by Chesham United and the return of Jake Anthony and Bradley Smith from the start were the other two changes to Jordan Parkes’ team from midweek defeat at Berkhamsted.

17 goals were shared between the sides in their two league meetings last term, but chances were at a premium early on at The Orbital Fasteners Stadium this time around.

Kyle Lynch broke the deadlock for the visitors after 28 rather flat minutes, heading home in a penalty area scramble resulting from an uncleared free kick.

Kings’ first notable effort came 32 minutes in; their own set piece asking questions as Jake Anthony headed into the hands of Sebastian Stacey.

Anthony had a pair of efforts from Tami Ogunnowo crosses before his shot from Lewis Duberry’s pass sailed just over the bar as Kings improved but failed to find an equaliser before the referee’s halftime whistle.

Duberry tested Stacey with a low shot five minutes into the second period, the Dunstable keeper turning behind for a corner from which Isaac Pedro crashed Joshua Bryant’s delivery into the crossbar.

A free kick was awarded from the same attack and Duberry forced Stacey into another stop from that, before Duodu fired just wide at the other end.

The game was erupting into life and it was the impressive Duberry again knocking on the door with a long-distance strike from a rapid Kings Langley move starting with a goal kick, but Stacey kept it firmly closed with another save.

Bradley Smith levelled the tie with a moment of magic inside the 61st minute, delicately controlling at the back post as Duberry’s cross looped out of the sky and forcing past Stacey at his near post with a powerful effort.

Three minutes later, James Towell had a fantastic chance to give his side the lead as Henry Burt’s blocked shot fell to him arriving at the far post, but he blazed his effort over the crossbar.

Kings Langley had taken control and were pushing hard to go ahead, but Graham Stack was called into action as Dunstable broke through the lively Duodu in the 71st minute.

Kings couldn’t quite find a way through, and Dunstable continued to pose a threat on the counter. With nine minutes to play, Oliver Spicer’s attempt was helped just wide by Stack and Kings were forced to defend frantically as the corner bounced around the box.

Time was running out and Henry Burt put another good opportunity over the bar after substitute Declan Phillips’ good work on the right flank had found him at the edge of the box.

There were to be no more late heroics at home for Kings - Isaac Pedro’s saved header the closest they came to stealing the points but Dunstable missed a big chance to leave with all three in stoppage time as Momodou Jallow found Stack stood strong in the Kings goal once more. Spicer fired the rebound over and the referee brought the tie to a halt with the score locked at 1-1.

The point keeps Parkes’ side ahead of Dunstable in the league standings, but he will have felt there was more on offer with his team dominant in the second period especially.

Next up for Kings Langley is a trip to Barton Rovers on Saturday 16th November.