CONGLETON Town go into Saturday's league game at leaders Lincoln in high spirits despite conceding a late equaliser against Gretna on Saturday.

The Bears dominated the second half of the match at Booth Street, but couldn't hang onto a 2-1 lead, Gretna earning a point with 17 minutes left.

The 2-2 draw leaves Congleton second from bottom, well clear of Great Harwood and one and three points behind Whitley Bay and Alfreton respectively.

Ninth-placed Gretna made an excellent start, taking the lead after 20 minutes with a goal Congleton felt was offside.

A ball was played through for a Gretna player to run on and score from three yards.

Rod Thornley and Graham Dodd had good chances to score, and Kevin Garforth, who had an excellent match, shot straight at the Gretna keeper.

Congleton were a different side after the break, equalising three minutes into the second half.

Centre half Colin Webster, who is on loan from Crewe, scored with a glancing header in the corner of the net after connecting with a cross from Chris Woodward.

The Bears went further ahead in the 71st minute with a superbly worked goal when Thornley ran into the box to head home a cross from Garforth from six yards out.

However Gretna had the final word, drawing level two minutes later when their centre half headed home a corner from a few yards out after slack marking by the Congleton defence.

Congleton created several chances in the last 15 minutes, including a curler from Paul Abbey which hit the bar.

''We were disappointed with the result because we played so well, and deserved to win,'' said Bears' secretary Dave Wilcock.

''We dominated the second half and absolutely murdered them, and would have won had it not been for a lack of concentration at the back.

''In the second half we played some of the best football I have seen us produce in the last couple of years, and I'm confident we can avoid relegation.

''We just need to start winning some games, and 17 points from our last 15 games should be enough to keep us up.''

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