Garswood United 1 Knutsford 1

KNUTSFORD kept within a win of the Cheshire League Premier Division’s summit despite only taking a point at Garswood on Saturday.

Reds, who have two games in hand on title-rivals Congleton Vale above them, levelled through Scott Beattie in the second half after Michael Furlong had opened the scoring.

It was only their fourth competitive game in 13 weeks, but captain Steve Jenyons made his 200th appearance in their colours.

The visitors went close early on when a David Owens corner was spilled by Garswood goalkeeper Graeme McCall, but Sean Lynch failed to find the net.

Thomas Rutter was next to blaze over from outside the box, while Mark Evans, Beattie and Owens combined well on occasions without breaking the deadlock.

Instead it was the hosts who reached the break in front after Furlong beat Knutsford custodian Sam Moore from distance on 44 minutes.

Manager Scott Dignan was forced into three changes after his side started the second half slowly, introducing with Evans, Ebbie Rezayan and Lynch making way for Lee Mannion, James Pickford and Jonny Scott.

The changes sparked Reds into life, only for Beattie to miskick an effort with the goal at his mercy.

Garswood found themselves down to 10 men with 12 minutes remaining, but it took Knutsford until the 89th minute to finally level when Beattie lashed into the bottom corner from Mannion’s cross.

Knutsford host Garswood in the reverse fixture at Manchester Road this Saturday, kick off 2pm.

Reds Moore (GK), Wilbraham, Torbitt, Jenyons, Brotherton, Evans (Mannion), Beattie, Rezayan (Pickford), Lynch (Scott) Owens, Rutter