Bootle concede last minute equaliser at Abbey Hey

Mar 4 2010 by Paul Snowdon, Bootle Times

Cocks’s superb run down the right saw him break in behind the Bootle back four and he slotted the ball low past Mawdsley.

The goal only appeared to spur Bootle on and almost immediately the Bucks went close, Fowler cut in from the right but his powerful effort fell wide of Lewis’ goal.

Abbey Hey held the lead until the 67th minute when Bootle substitute Ian Johnson met Black’s first time cross to beat Lewis with a truly unstoppable header.

Ten minutes later Bootle had the lead; Black latched onto a through ball and lobbed Lewis from 20 yards.

The goal, however, was a bittersweet moment for Bootle as the keeper clattered into Black with his follow-through leaving the midfielder sprawled on the pitch.

With all substitutes used, Black was forced back onto the pitch after treatment but the influential midfielder was ineffective from then on.

Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as they were reduced to 10 men when half-time substitute, Anthony Hickey, harshly saw red for a clumsy tackle on Abbey Hey captain Lee Knowles.

Referee McDermott took exception to Hickey’s studs-showing tackle and dismissed the Bootle forward.

The Bucks, effectively paying with nine-men, looked set to hold onto the points only for Evans’s late equaliser. It has been a frustrating few weeks for Bootle manager Chris O’Brien, with the weather halting a host of matches. It was also the second time in as many away games that Bootle have dropped points to lowly opposition following a draw with second-bottom Ashton Town a fortnight ago.

Bootle’s next fixture in the Vodkat League Premier Division is a home game with Bacup Borough on Saturday, kick-off 3pm. And next Tuesday, the Bucks host Ashton Athletic (7.45pm).