KNUTSFORD left Bolton on Sunday without a share of the spoils they felt was merited.

Trailing 2-1 in a rearranged North West Men’s League encounter, the Black Knights were denied an equaliser when a speculative through-ball evaded their attackers and crept into the net.

But neither match official spotted it had been deflected there off the home team goalkeeper’s pads.

The visitors spent most of the opening period defending, reaching the interval unscathed.

Bolton took the lead though with an unstoppable drag flick from a short corner that went in via an upright.

A well-worked short corner routine led to the hosts’ second score shortly afterwards.

Knutsford, victors in each of their four previous Division Two matches, rallied though and halved their arrears when Simon Trenbirth’s shot from the edge of the D was diverted past Bolton’s custodian at the near post by Simon Locke.

That disallowed effort followed, leaving them empty-handed for the first time since 7-2 defeat away to Wilmslow back in October.

Two of the Cheshire Women’s League top tier’s struggling teams meet this Saturday when back-markers Knutsford Ladies visit Bowdon fourths, push back 2pm.

The visitors have won only once to date this season, so are hopeful the New Year brings with it a change in fortune, while their hosts have lost seven of their past eight matches in Division One.

n Fixtures Cheshire Women’s League Division One, this Saturday (2pm) inc: Bowdon 4ths v Knutsford.

North West Men’s League Division Two (Midday) inc: Bangor University v Knutsford. Division Five South (2pm) inc: Knutsford 2nds v Deeside Ramblers 4ths. Division Seven South East (3pm) inc: Brooklands 5ths v Knutsford 3rds.