Alliance Division One: Pool Reserves 3 Oxenhope Rec Reserves 3

OXENHOPE produced a gritty, battling performance to come back with a well-deserved point following a last-minute leveller.

The visitors got on top with Jacob Clarke, Connor Pepper and Joel Gallagher all going close, while Andy Fox grazed the post.

Just before the break Oxenhope took the lead, when Fox curled in an inch-perfect cross for Pepper to head home.

In the final minute of the first half the home side equalised when a poor clearance was capitalised on with a 25-yard drive into the top corner.

Oxenhope took the initiative after the break. Luke Snowden burst down the left flank, swung a cross into Gallagher but was foiled by a last-ditch tackle.

Man of the match Snowden then tried his luck but his strike from distance smacked against the bar.

Pool were reduced to breaks down field and it was from one that they took the lead. A corner was floated in and found their striker unmarked and he prodded the ball just inside the post.

Oxenhope continued to dominate and ten minutes later levelled, Will Lee collecting a corner, turning his marker and calmly slotting into the bottom corner.

Both sides now went for the win and, with only five minutes left, Pool seized their chance, their captain driving in a 20-yard free-kick.

Lee latched on to a corner, only to see his effort deflected off the post and into the keeper’s hands. His clearance was won by Dayne Ward, who passed to Lee and he put it through to Gallagher who drove into the box but was brought down by a sliding tackle. Lee stepped up to calmly convert the resulting penalty to give Oxenhope a deserved share of the points.

On Saturday the reserves entertain Field Reserves (2pm) who are challenging for the title.

Oxenhope Res: Driver R, Quinlan P, Pullan, Ward, Duffin, Fox(King), Lee, Clarke (McGee M), Gallagher, Pepper, Snowden.