WITTON Albion looked to have done enough on Monday night to take a slender lead into the second leg of the President's Cup final against Bamber Bridge.
But a late equaliser, in the fourth minute of stoppage time, gave the Lancastrians a 1-1 draw and the upper hand going into the second leg.
Earlier, Bridge keeper Andy Banks almost gave Witton a gift in the opening exchanges when he miscued his clearance to Adam Foy, who shot wide from 20 yards.
Banks made amends on 19 minutes when he pulled off a terrific full-length save to deny Ian Latham following a blistering 25-yard shot.
And Albion should have taken the lead on 35 minutes when Danny Byrne released Mike Moseley.
As Banks was drawn wide Moseley went round him and shot at goal, but the keeper reacted quickly to regain his footing and claim the ball.
The second period saw Banks save a Lee Spike header early on, but Albion were not satisfied with going close and eventually took the lead on 54 minutes.
A flurry of goalmouth action made Bridge resort to some desperate defending, but Foy was able to get in to blast the ball into the roof of the net from close range.
Albion then took complete control and in the final 10 minutes could have increased their lead, but for Banks who denied both Spike and Byrne.
l SPENNYMOOR United will not be thrown out of the UniBond Premier Division, despite not fulfilling four league fixtures and their President's Cup semi final with Witton Albion.
At a meeting held at Altrincham on Sunday, April 10, Spennymoor were fined £1,000 on each of the three charges of failing to fulfil league fixtures against Leek Town, Bridlington Town and Radcliffe Borough.
The club also had three points deducted from their playing record for each of the three offences bringing the total number of points deducted to 12 as they already had three points deducted for failing to fulfil their first fixture against Leek Town.
In addition, Spennymoor were ordered to pay £200 to go towards costs incurred by Bridlington Town and the UniBond League for the Bridlington Town fixture.
The UniBond League said in a statement released after the meeting: "The club were not expelled from the League and have been informed they are expected to fulfil their fixture against Prescot Cables on Tuesday, April 12.
"The League wish to give Spennymoor United every opportunity to complete their fixtures in order they may be in a better position to regroup at the end of the season and honour their responsibilities, not only to the league but also to fellow member clubs who suffer financially, logistically and administratively each time Spennymoor United fail to fulfil a fixture."
Despite this, last night's fixture against Prescot was postponed.
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