Latics youth win late draw

TWO late goals from inspirational Ryan Burns helped Athletic to a 2-2 draw against Preston in the North West Conference of the Football League Youth Alliance.

The Belfast-born midfielder netted twice in the final 20 minutes at Chapel Road to help the under-18s to an unlikely point — and Athletic could even have landed all three when substitute Carlton McIntosh forced a great save from Preston's 'keeper, an off-balance Kyle Riley striking the rebound over the bar.

Luke Simpson produced some excellent stops in goal but Athletic were 1-0 down as the sides switched ends.

A 30-yard strike after the break left the home team with a mountain to climb.

But a Burns penalty, awarded for a foul on Riley, was followed up with a neat finish to level the scores.