Metropolitan Police travelled from Surrey to Merthyr Tydfil without an officer in sight.
The Met did not have any policemen in their squad for the Southern League match at MetCoaches Stadium, but did include Welsh brothers, goalkeeper Luke and defender Sam Williams.
Former Wales youth international and Cardiff City trainee Sam, aged 20, spent almost three years with the Bluebirds, made 45 Academy appearances and trained with the first team.
The Martyrs opened a 2-0 lead, but their progress was arrested by police. The Met fought back to draw 2-2.
Met manager Gavin Macpherson said: “Merthyr have a good team and play good football. They have pace and power.
“After 25 minutes we were in serious danger of coming away with nothing. At 2-0 down we had a lot of work to do.
“Merthyr were always dangerous on the break and simply better in front of goal. Our first goal changed my half-time talk and probably changed theirs.
“The response was magnificent and, if I’m honest, not surprising. That came from the players, it didn’t come from anything I said at half-time.”
Both Martyrs and the Met are in Emirates FA Cup action next Saturday. Winchester City visit the MetCoaches Stadium, while Police entertain Needham Market.
Merthyr started brightly in their Southern Premier home fixture against Police with Kerry Morgan in fine form on the left.
Martyrs led 2-0, but the game changed when the Met pinched a goal just before the break and they equalised after 86 minutes.
Merthyr looked in trouble with Police pressing hard during the last four minutes plus three minutes injury time, but held on to a hard-earned point.
Manager Gavin Williams and his team have won all four of their away matches this season, scoring 11 and conceding two, but they have stuttered at home.
Merthyr defeated Gosport Borough 4-2, while they drew 2-2 against Swindon Supermarine and Police. They also lost 3-1 against Frome after goalkeeper Joe Perry was injured and defender Jarrad Wright had to take the gloves.
New signing Steve Cann was in goal against the Met, who were pushed back by a Merthyr team keen to impress.
Their first goal came after 11 minutes when Morgan kept the ball in play on the left and crossed for captain Ashley Evans headed in.
Ian Traylor headed the Martyrs’ second after 18 minutes when, for the second time, Morgan created the opening.
It was another header on 18 minutes, again a centre from Morgan with Traylor at the end of it and 2-0 to Merthyr.
Morgan fired against a post and at that stage Merthyr were in control, but John Gilbert broke clear to score for Police just before half-time.
Players walk out before the game v @MetPoliceFC pic.twitter.com/wIS7BUrPHD
— The Martyrs (@MerthyrTownFC) September 15, 2018
That lifted the visitors and Cann had to punch out one effort, defender Kyle Patten did well to stop Gilbert.
Owain Jones, on loan from Nuneaton, replaced Meechan just after the hour and almost scored when he went through on his own only to shoot wide.
Corey Jenkins took over from Morgan on 74 minutes, while ex-Swansea City, Motherwell and Burton player Lee Lucas went on for Kieran Lewis with 10 minutes left.
Police, though, snatched an equaliser after Gilbert, playing on the left, slipped the ball through for Jack Mazzoni to score and complete the 2-2 scoreline.
Merthyr drop to fourth in the Premier table, but are one of six teams level on 14 points.
Steve Cann, Joe Hunt, Jarrad Wright, Kyle Patten, Adam Davies, Kieran Lewis, Matthew Harris, Ashley Evans, Kerry Morgan,Tom Meechan, Ian Traylor. Subs: Connor Young, McDonnell, Lee Lucas, Corey Jenkins, Owain Jones.
Merthyr Town’s early results and fixtures 2018-19 (Southern League Premier unless stated)
August
Saturday 11 v Chesham United (away) Merthyr won 3-0
Tuesday 14 v Swindon Supermarine (home) 2-2
Saturday 18 v Gosport Borough (away) Merthyr won 4-2
Saturday 25 v Farnborough (away) won 1-0
Monday 27 Frome Town (home) lost 1-3
September
Saturday 1 v Walton Casuals (away) won 3-1
Saturday 8 Emirates FA Cup first qualifying round v Melksham Town 1, Merthyr Town 4
Saturday 15 Metropolitan Police 2-2
Saturday 22: Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round v Winchester City (home)
Saturday 29 Hartley Wintney (away)
PREMIER DIVISION SOUTH LEAGUE TABLE
| P | PTS | GD | |
| Weymouth | 7 | 14 | 11 |
| Taunton Town | 7 | 14 | 10 |
| Tiverton Town | 7 | 14 | 7 |
| Merthyr Town | 7 | 14 | 6 |
| Basingstoke Town | 7 | 14 | 5 |
| Hendon | 7 | 14 | 4 |
| Farnborough | 7 | 13 | 5 |
| Hartley Wintney | 7 | 12 | 3 |
| Gosport Borough | 7 | 12 | 2 |
| Poole Town | 7 | 10 | 1 |
| Salisbury | 6 | 9 | 3 |
| Metropolitan Police | 7 | 9 | -3 |
| Harrow Borough | 7 | 8 | 0 |
| Dorchester Town | 7 | 8 | -6 |
| Beaconsfield Town | 7 | 7 | -2 |
| Frome Town | 7 | 7 | -4 |
| Staines Town | 7 | 6 | -6 |
| Swindon Supermarine | 6 | 5 | -2 |
| Kings Langley | 7 | 5 | -4 |
| Walton Casuals | 6 | 5 | -7 |
| Wimborne Town | 6 | 4 | -7 |
| Chesham United | 7 | 1 | -16 |