Congleton Vale 4 Egerton 3

PUSHING newly crowned champions Congleton Vale to the wire on Saturday reinforced the management view that Egerton can be contenders next season.

The Yellows led 2-0 inside 20 minutes before conceding four times and fighting back at the death in their penultimate Cheshire League One game of the season.

Graham Egerton, management team member, said: "The lads showed yet again that we have more than enough quality to challenge at the top of this league and that is our target for next season.

"If they show the belief that gave us an 11 game unbeaten run earlier in the season and performances like this and last week then we have a fighting chance.

"We know what we have to work on and areas that need to be strengthened."

In-form Chris Trowbridge hit a 25-yard drive to register his 11th goal this term to put Egerton ahead.

Then Mike Evans tapped in his 20th after a Ben Burrow corner was flicked on by Miles Watson.

Quickfire braces from Congleton at the end of the first half and midway through the second turned the game on its head.

Ben Burrow rekindled Egerton hope with a 25-yard free kick success on 80 minutes.

Egerton pressed for a point and Watson looked to be through on goal only for a covering defender to somehow dispossess him.

Substitute Ryan Routley also went close from another Ben Burrow corner.

It leaves Egerton heading to Penlake on May 16 with the prospect of finishing anywhere from fourth to ninth, depending on the result.

Egerton Shalcross (GK), Jones, Beresford, Ellis, Egerton, Trowbridge, Watson, West, Pownall, Burrow, Evans Subs Rowley, Routley, Ungureanu