Table-topping Kings Langley held at home by resilient Colney Heath

Kings continued their experiment of free admission and saw a significant increase in attendance, but unfortunately they were unable to match the shimmering heights of Tuesday night’s display.

They started well enough, scoring within the first four minutes for the third successive game as Alex Campana received the ball wide left and twisted and turned across the defence to create an angle for a shot that beat Tom Blackman.

Stuart Deaton went close with a header, but the home side failed to convert early superiority into a killer lead and gradually the Magpies grew into the game.

Kings keeper Charlie Crowley was forced into a last-minute save at the foot of the post from a free-kick and Ryan Wade volleyed over the bar.

Langley striker Mitchell Weiss saw a glancing header shave the woodwork, but the half ended with little to choose between the teams.

Daryl Atkins should have made an early impact from the bench, but his touch let him down when through and Kings paid the penalty for a performance that was becoming increasingly disjointed.

A long throw was touched on to David Parkinson at the far post and the experienced striker made no mistake to level the scores.

When Atkins threatened again, Blackman pulled off a flying save, but it was obvious that the home side was having an off day.

Passes were going astray against an uncompromising defence, and the creativity that had inspired eight consecutive wins went into hiding before the larger than average crowd.

Indeed, the introduction of the pacy Courtney Lawrence for Colney could have taken all three points; two late runs and powerful shots bringing the best out of the airborne Crowley, who was probably his side’s man of the match.

Kings will be disappointed, but will no doubt continue to reach for the standards that they have set this season when they go to Bedford on Tuesday night with a place in the League Cup final at stake.