Altrincham and District

League Division One

Stretford Victoria 1

KNUTSFORD FC A 1

KNUTSFORD were seconds away from a crucial victory when the home side snatched a dramatic equaliser in the fifth minute of injury time.

It was a cruel blow for Knutsford who had picked themselves up from last week's disappointment to play some exhilarating football.

Numerous chances fell to both teams in the early stages but in a highly charged affair neither team could find a breakthrough and at half-time the game was finely poised at 0-0.

Immediately after the break Joe Da Costa produced a moment of magic but his 20-yard shot brought a fingertip save from the home team goalkeeper.

Martin Shipp was in the thick of the action throughout the game and in the 60th minute clashed with a Stretford defender but the referee was lenient and the home side were fortunate to retain their numeric equilibrium.

With 20 minutes remaining Knutsford's Da Costa unleashed yet another pile driver from 25 yards and when the ball rattled the underside of the crossbar Martin Simcock pounced to rifle the ball home from seven yards.

Scott Lowe gave a good account of himself alongside Andy Jackson at the heart of Knutsford's back four following a long-term injury lay off and the Reds looked more assured but the cruel twist came in the controversial five minutes of injury time when the home side launched a long throw from the corner flag.

Knutsford should have dealt with the situation but the finest of touches at the near post found the back of the net and Knutsford had to settle for one point instead of three. On Saturday the A team are at home to Atlantic FC, kick of at Manchester Road is 2pm.