Never-say-die FC Owestry Town leave it late
FC Oswestry Town stepped up the pressure on the leaders in the Hallmark North West Counties League division one south after pulling off a stunning last-gasp 2-1 win over Abbey Hutton United at Park Hall.
Trailing to a 75th-minute header from Shaun Rhodes, in-form Town were facing a rare defeat before turning the game around in dramatic fashion with two goals in injury time.
In a rousing finish, Liam Parry levelled from the penalty spot in the 91st minute after Harry Bower had been bundled over in the box.
Parry then shot into the side netting moments later after rounding the keeper, before Town snatched a thrilling win five minutes into stoppage time when a Matt Jones cross was headed clear to the edge of the box where Sam Spridgeon smashed home the loose ball.
Victory lifted Town up to third with six games remaining, with Matt Burton’s men now just two points off second place and six adrift of leaders Rylands, who they visit on Saturday.
St Martins suffered their second defeat in a week after spurning a two-goal lead in their 3-2 reverse at Cheadle Heath Nomads. Looking to shrug off a 3-1 loss at home to Sandbach United, the Saints made a dream start as they opened up a two-goal lead inside the first 13 minutes.
Harvey Plimmer crossed for Tom Ash to get the first, and Plimmer was again the provider when putting Karl Bailey through to slot home.
Cheadle hit back when Andrew Simpson headed in from a corner on 32 minutes, while the Greater Manchester hosts were denied a second on the stroke of half-time when another effort struck both posts.
But they were back on terms after the interval as Richard Tindall levelled on 65 minutes and, despite a penalty being missed, they wrapped up the points when Tindall notched his second five minutes from time.
Lowly Ellesmere Rangers slumped 4-1 at Maine Road to slip closer to relegation. Despite William Wells levelling for Ellesmere on the half hour, the Manchester hosts ran out convincing winners.
