North Village lost their 100 percent record but held on to their top-of-the-table spot after this intense battle which left the fans as breathless as the players.

Hunting in packs, Wolves tore into Village from the outset but against the run of play the home side netted with a piece of individual brilliance after just five minutes.

A good catch by the North Village keeper Zane Hendrickson under pressure gave the Red Devils possession.

Jamaul Boyles was released down the right and evaded several challenges before slotting the ball into the opposite corner of the net with a crisp low drive.

Undeterred Wolves kept up their frenetic pace as they sought to break up Village's natural passing game by closing down on players early.

Despite some full-blooded challenges on either side referee Lyndon Raynor kept the game flowing and it was only late on that he needed to reach for his notebook.

No-one worked harder than Wolves forward Mark Ray who time and again dropped deep to pick up the ball or to harass a Village player in possession.

After 15 minutes Ray latched on to a long ball and forced a corner which Wolves centre back Diallo Sharieff came close to converting but his header was just wide.

Minutes later the ball was fed to Wolves winger Shaki Crockwell who looked up to cross but his fiercely hit low drive pinged the post.

On the half hour, Ray and fellow striker Nakia Smith harried David Thomas whose hasty back pass was fluffed by keeper Zane Hendrickson. He swung at the ball and missed and then turned to see it trickle into the net.

Smith was credited by the announcer with the goal but the last touch looked to have come from Thomas.

But a minute later North Village were nearly ahead again as a long-range effort from Village winger Kevin Jennings, wide on the right, crashed onto the bar as the keeper hurried to cover.

A neat one-two between Ray and Smith saw Smith's venomous shot well gathered by the keeper as the first half drew to a close. And it was Wolves who got the second half off to a flyer with Diallo Sharrieff scoring after just one minute and 30 seconds.

Sharrieff had played in a dangerous free-kick which was wisely cleared for a corner by the last defender with Ray lurking with intent. And it was Sharrieff who netted Tori Davis's corner with a firm, close-range header.

But Sharrieff went from hero to villain within seconds as he squandered a knock down from Smith by blazing it over the bar from just a few yards out bringing howls from the large crowd hemmed in by Bernard Park's newly erected perimeter fencing.

It was a costly miss as 15 minutes later Kevin Jennings made a 30-yard burst down the left flank and slotted into the opposite corner in a virtual carbon copy of Jamaul Boyles' earlier wonder goal.

And Wolves keeper Corbin Durrant nearly cost his side the game when he spilled a tame low cross but his defenders managed to clear before Village could pounce.

Wolves sub Adam Outerbridge could have grabbed his side all three points in the dying minute when the ball cannoned off the back of a Village defender but the youngster's shot was well wide.

Village's head coach Scott Morton said his side were happy with the point in the end.

He said: "I think Wolves have been the toughest test so far. Last time we played them both teams were horrendous.

"But this game here was a lot better for both teams in terms of being a bit more patient and trying to impose your team's style of play on the other team.'' Wolves head coach Dennis Brown said the game plan of not letting Village settle had worked.

But he added: "The two goals we gave away were terrible. If this team wants to get to the next level we will have to keep our concentration.

"I am not happy with our concentration level. We didn't capitalise on their mistakes -- they made a lot of mistakes. We will take the point but this game was there for us to win.'' North Village: Z.Hendrickson, J.Thomas, R.Spence, D.Thomas, K.Binns, J.Boyles (T.Jennings, 75 mins), Kev.Jennings, M.Hansey, Q.Paynter, D.Warren, S.Goater (Ken.Jennings, 59 mins) Wolves: C.Durrant, A.Caisey, T.Davis, J.Warren, D.Sharrief, J.Douglas (N.Webb, 65 mins) M.Ray, S.Crockwell (A.Outerbridge, 67 mins), S.Waldron, A.Thomas, N.Smith (C.Simmons, 76 mins) Yellow cards: T.Jennings (Village); J.Warren (Wolves). Referee: Lyndon Raynor Men of the match: Kevin Jennings (Village), Mark Ray (Wolves).