Elivelton's opener just before halftime was canceled out by a fine strike from Nicky Hernandez, as FC Tucson and North Texas SC split the points in a 1-1 draw despite North Texas playing for more than an hour with 10 men on Saturday night at Globe Life Park.

North Texas was dealt a blow in the 21st minute when Edwin Cerrillo was shown a red card. The situation then went from bad to worse for the home side, as Charlie Dennis' well-delivered free kick found a wide-open Elivelton at the back post. The Brazilian easily headed home his second goal in as many games to give Tucson the lead in first half stoppage time.

But down a goal and a man, North Texas refused to quit. The defending League One title-winners found an equalizer on 71 minutes following a lovely bit of play, in which Hernandez tip-toed between defenders and fired an accurate low drive into the far corner of the net.

The match finished 1-1, keeping both sides level with each other on 11 points and in the bottom half of the table. Tucson and North Texas sit seven points behind Chattanooga in the second and final playoff position, and will need to start picking up wins quickly to give themselves a chance at a postseason berth.

Each club has a home game up next, with Tucson hosting Forward Madison on Wednesday and North Texas welcoming league leaders Greenville Triumph on Friday.

SCORING SUMMARY 

• TUC (45+5'): Elivelton (second), assisted by Dennis
• NTX (71'): Hernandez (first), assisted by Damus

NEXT MATCHES

North Texas SC: September 25 v. Greenville Triumph SC (A)
FC Tucson: September 23 v. Forward Madison FC (H)