CONGLETON striker Rod Thornley saved his side on Saturday with a last-minute equaliser to deny Gretna a late victory.

The league match was tied at 2-2 when Gretna scored what looked to be the winner with only three minutes left on the clock.

Congleton refused to be beaten, however, and the spirit that earned them two wins in a row before Saturday saw them snatch an equaliser at the death.

Gretna made a superb start, and were 2-0 up after only nine minutes of their home league clash.

They took the lead in the eighth minute as Congleton right back Darren Chetwin was being treated off the pitch for an injury.

Two shots from Gretna were charged down and blocked before the ball ran through for a player to score from eight yards out.

They doubled their lead a minute later when the Bears gave the ball away in midfield.

A Gretna player swung at the ball from 25 yards, and his half volley flew just inside the post.

Luck was with Congleton six minutes later to help them back into the match.

The Gretna keeper caught Thornley with his arm as he went to throw the ball to one of his team; it rolled free and a grateful Thornley tapped it in.

The Bears made it 2-2 four minutes from half-time with the goal and move of the game.

Graham Dodd brought the ball down on the half-way line before beating a defender and putting Thornley through.

He raced forward, and released Adrian Dunn, who played the ball across to Chris Woodward, who hit it first time inside the post.

Congleton created three good second half chances, but the game looked set for a 2-2 draw until the Gretna centre half scored with an 87th minute header.

Congleton cleared the ball from under the bar, but the referee judged it to have crossed the line.

Darren Washington was brought on, and won an 89th minute corner which brought the equaliser.

Three players raced in to the box, the ball was half cleared, and Thornley was there to smash it in from four yards.

''It was a fair result, and we showed very good character is not keeling over but fighting back in style,'' said Congleton treasurer Ken Mead.

Congleton continued their revivalk with a 2-1 home win against mid-table Chorley on Tuesday night.

Thornley headed the Bears ahead after seven minutes, and won a penalty eight minutes later after being brought down.

Graham Dodd stepped up to make it 2-0.

Congleton had to survive a tense last 13 minutes after Chorley pulled a goal back with a penalty after a Bears' defender was judged to have handled in the box.

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