The top two in the Southern Premier League South, AFC Totton and Gloucester City shared the spoils at Snows Stadium after a frenetic encounter.
City's nightmare injury record began to haunt them again in only the seventh minute after Jadyn Crosbie pulled up after travelling with the ball and suffered a hamstring strain.
He had to be subbed off for Brandon Smalley with Gloucester's injury woes limiting them to only selecting four substitutes for the away visit.
It was the Stags who had the better of the chances, but for the majority of the first half there was nothing to split the two sides who were proven even opposition for each other.
Former Premier League striker Charlie Austin was denied by fine keeping from Tigers keepers Jared Thompson after the ball fell to him in a goal mouth scramble and another half volley was easily saved.
Gloucester were pushing for an opening with King Baidoo and Ed Williams missing half chances, and it would be only a matter of minutes before City showed their clinical touch.
Williams, a constant livewire throughout the match interecepted a Totton pass, fed the ball to Joe Hanks who then sent Smalley in.
Smalley still had a lot to do but the sub showed a touch of class by sitting a defender down by cooling sliding it into the bottom left corner leaving Joshua Gould helpess and sending the travelling fans into ecstacy.
It ensured that the Tigers would go into half time 1-0 up, showing the telling touch that had been missing for a lot of the season despite the away side sitting top of the table.
Totton showed their qualities in the second half that proved why they were the joint second highest scorers in the divison and began to quickly turn on the screw.
Imperious defendeing by City stopped the side in Royal Blue from equalising but it was only a matter of time before they were level pegging.
Just 10 minutes after half time Austin from the left played a ball to Ethan Taylor and the number 10 managed to slot in a strike into the bottom corner that Thompson couldn't do anything about.
Chances were few and far between after the home side drew level with Totton threating but unable to convert their chances.
Joe Hanks rose highest from a cross after well worked play but his teasing header hit the roof of the net but that was the best chance of the half for City who would remain sturdy and well drilled till the final whistle.
Man mountain Ben Richards-Everton was impressive again as he was the first to headers, making crucial challenges as well as baiting the opposition into fouling him to buy the Tigers time.
It was a nervous finish after Dan Leadbitter who had been on a yellow card since the 17th minute was awarded a second yellow by referee Lawrence Torz-Brown with just a minute to spare, despite not appearing to foul the Totton player.
The final whistle blew with both sides happy to take a point from the table topping battle.
It ensured City remained top of the league, although divisional rivals Merthyr Town have a game in hand after snatching a last gasp winner against lowly Marlow.
It's a trip back down to Hampshire again for the Tigers on Tuesday night as they go to Winchester City who are buoyant having defeated high flying Walton and Hersham.
The defense of Gloucester City deserves a shout-out. Despite being under pressure from AFC Totton, they held their ground admirably, especially in the second half. Wordle Unlimited