ADAM Lakeland, Northwich Victoria’s manager, was happier than his Basford counterpart after the visitors scored twice in the last 10 minutes to secure a draw.
Indeed, he felt his side might have pinched all three points during a frenzied finale on Saturday.
“When we made it 2-1 I had no doubt we’d go on and get another,” he said.
“We even had a couple of chances to win the game in stoppage time, but from two goals down with 10 minutes left I’d have taken a point if you’d offered.
“The lads did well again to rescue one when they had their backs to the wall.”
Basford had made the most of their guests’ late arrival, and slow start, to race ahead.
Ben Hutchinson turned in Courey Grantham’s low cross in the second minute, then Gary Ricketts applied a finishing touch to Fabian Smith’s free kick to double their lead.
Vics goalkeeper Mason Springthorpe kept his side in the game with saves to deny the hosts on three occasions.
John Pritchard converted from close range to start the away team’s recovery, then Alec Mudimu headed an equaliser with six minutes left.
Basford breathed a sigh of relief when Jamie Speirs smuggled off the line.
Lakeland added: “We’re aware our problems are in defence, and we have to improve.
“We’ve scored in every game, including twice on four occasions, and that should have been enough to get that first win.”
Basford | Deeney (GK), McNicholas, Hodgett-Young (Walker), Smith (Speirs), Darkin, Meikle, Grantham, Dixon, Ricketts, Hutchinson, Simmons (Grayson) Subs not used Hooton, Rowley Goals Hutchinson 2, Ricketts 12
Vics | Springthorpe (GK), Waldron (Fitzgerald), Pritchard, Brewster (Gray), Olopade, Regan, Byrne, Simon Lakeland, Cockerline, Mudimu, Gyimah (Edwards) Subs not used Hinchcliffe, Hill Goals Pritchard 80, Mudimu 84
Referee Timothy Walker
Attendance 91
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