Boro go close to shocking leaders

CRUNCH TIME . . . Oldham’s Nick Alexander (left) challenges Stone’s Liam McKinne

NON_LEAGUE FOOTBALL:

A LAST-GASP goal denied lowly Oldham Boro a shock victory against table-toppers Stone Dominoes in division one of the Vodkat North-West Counties League on Saturday.

Tony Mills’ side, who started the day second from bottom, were leading 2-1 when Andrew Marshall popped up with an 89th-minute equaliser at the Whitebank Stadium.

It was tough to take for Boro, who had gone ahead inside 60 seconds thanks to Tom Hughes’ first goal since his return from Trafford FC, the midfield man firing home after new-boy Matty Hampson had played a neat one-two with Darren Scanlan in the build up.

Boro were the better side in the first half, but were unable to add to their advantage and paid dearly two minutes after the break when the referee awarded Stone a penalty for a shove by Nick Alexander, which Niall Maguire converted.

Under the cosh for the next quarter-of-an-hour, the hosts held out and stunned the championship contenders by going in front for a second time in the 77th minute. Alexander, atoning for his spot-kick give-away, chested the ball down to another debutant, Sean Roscoe, who made no mistake with a side-foot finish.

Alexander and Arnold Nsimba went close for Boro in an even second half, but it was Stone who got the fourth goal of the game, to clinch a 2-2 draw, after forcing a late corner.


CHADDERTON also had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw at home to Norton United in NWCL division one.

The Broadway outfit created umpteen chances, but converted only one as they wasted a great opportunity to climb the table.

James Curley, back from suspension, missed three one-on-ones with the United ’keeper in the opening quarter. Gaz Morris and Chris Pauley were also profligate in front of goal.

But it was the visitors who broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Chadderton shot-stopper Lee Swanson misjudged a high ball into the penalty box — he expected it to bounce but instead it got stuck in the mud — and Adam Finney nipped in to score.

The home side eventually found a way through 14 minutes after half-time. Pauley picked out Liam Radcliffe, whose cross was met by a diving header from Leon Walters for his fourth goal in two games.

Radcliffe spurned a great chance and loan signing, Frenchman Jimmy Huet, hit a post but Chadderton were unable to grab the winner.


MATTY KAY scored his 17th goal of the season for Mossley, who came from behind to hold Prescot Cables to a 1-1 draw at Seel Park in UniBond League division one north.



The midfielder kept his cool from the penalty spot with seven minutes to go to cancel out an 80th effort minute from Tom Spearritt, who was released by the Lilywhites in the middle of January.

The result leaves Mossley 17th in the table, with the return fixture at Cables’ Hope Street ground next up on Saturday.