RYLANDS struck late to earn a 2-2 draw in their first Cheshire League Premier Division outing in more than a month.

Goals from Odi Koubemba and Kris Bell saw them share the points with Malpas on Saturday.

The hosts started strongly but could not beat Connor Tinsley in the Malpas goal.

On 18 minutes it was the visitors who took the lead. Rylands failed to clear and Alex Hughes was able to hit a low drive from 12 yards past debutant Richie Mottram.

Dave France hit the crossbar with a header from a corner, only for Bell’s rebound to be cleared off the line as Rylands looked to respond.

They did so in the 51st minute when Bell’s deflected cross fell for Koubemba to finish.

But Malpas retook the lead with 11 minutes to go when Hughes' cross was deflected in by the unlucky Calum Wilson.

The hosts left it late, but when Tom Swann was fouled in the box, Bell stepped up to level.

“We found it really tough, especially against the wind in the first half where we didn’t create too much going forward," said boss Danny Salt.

"However I was pleased with the way we defended, restricting Malpas mostly to long shots. It took us to fall behind before coming to life, and we started the second half particularly brightly.

"We got our well-deserved goal, before conceding against the run of play. I was proud of the lads for the way they didn’t give up, and found an equaliser late on.

"It’s a shame we couldn’t take all three points, but bearing in mind the conditions and our recent run of three defeats in a row, I’ll take a point and move on to the next game.

"I’d like to thank the travelling support who came on the trip with us, and look forward to hosting Congleton Vale on Saturday.”

Warrington Town reserves lost 2-1 to Cuddington in League Two, with the hosts leapfrogging Moore United.

Results:

Premier Division: Knutsford 5 Denton Town 0, Malpas 2 Rylands 2.

JA Walton Challenge Cup: Billinge 3 Golborne Sports 3, Tarporley Victoria 2 Mersey Valley 3.

League Two: Cuddington 2 Warrington Town Reserves 1.

Fixtures for Saturday, 2pm kick offs:

Premier Division: Garswood United v Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds, Poynton v Eagle Sports, Rylands v Congleton Vale.

League One: Grappenhall Sports v Daten.

League Two: Unicorn Athletic v Moore United, Warrington Town Reserves v Lostock Gralam.

Reserve Division Challenge Cup: Cuddington Reserves v Grappenhall Sports Reserves.

Reserve League One: Daten Reserves v Styal Reserves.

Reserve League Two: Malpas Reserves v Moore United Reserves.