NFC Kesh 2-2 Lisbellaw United

An Aaron Lindsay thunderbolt deep into added time rescued a point for Lisbellaw in Kesh on Saturday afternoon.

Scott Johnston cancelled out Daniel Wilson’s 20th-minute strike with Kesh player/manager Ryan Campbell then restoring the lead only for Kyle McCleery’s side to snatch a point in a well-contested affair.

“I feel that a draw was a fair result,” said player/manager McCleery. “We had a spell in the first half where we were well on top, Kesh enjoyed a similar spell in the second half but overall there was very little between the sides.

"Once the game opened up late on, Kesh created a few chances on the break but up until then, it was a very close game.

"I would have been extremely disappointed to come away with nothing, so to nick one right at the death was just rewards for our efforts I feel.”

Kesh spent the majority of the opening 20 minutes camped inside their own half with Lisbellaw applying early pressure as they racked up a number of corners that tested the home side’s defence.

Peter Armstrong, Jamie Coalter and Philip Beacom all had chances but none of them were able to direct an effort on goal.

A scuffed clearance from Beacom dropped to Wilson who surged down the left wing and cut inside before firing a shot across goal past goalkeeper Josh Brownlee into the far corner.

Kesh almost made it 2-0 just minutes later when Josh Flack sent a low-driven cross to the back post but Wilson was unable to find the target this time around.

United found their equaliser six minutes before the halftime whistle as goalkeeper TJ McMulkin was closed down by Sam Lindsay and his loose clearance came to Scott Johnston who slotted home from close range.

Six minutes after the restart, Kesh retook the lead as Lee Walker worked a short free kick to Campbell who flicked the ball up and executed a brilliant overhead free kick past Brownlee from 12 yards out.

Chances were limited for either side in the half-hour as the game lost some rhythm until Lisbellaw pushed men forward leaving them susceptible to counterattacks and that led to Brownlee having to deny Jack Beatty with a good save with his feet.

Campbell, Nathan Cashel and Wilson all had chances to kill the game but Lisbellaw held in there and snatched a point at the end as Browlnee lumped a long ball forward that only partially cleared as it fell to Lindsay who rocketed the ball into the top corner from 25 yards to the delight of the travelling support.

Lisbellaw host Tummery up next at Drumad while Kesh will look to get back on track at home to Strathroy Harps.