THE curtain will fall on Knutsford FC's disrupted season on Saturday.

Lockdown restrictions forced by the coronavirus pandemic left the Cheshire Football League campaign over before Christmas, but now the Reds' involvement in the JB Parker Premier Division Challenge Cup will end prematurely too.

Knutsford knew they would not progress from their group into the knockout stages even before the weekend's clash with Poynton took place.

And it was the same for the hosts too, and the match clearly unfolded in a way that neither team had anything to play for.

So the last group match at home to St Helens behind closed doors on Saturday will be the last action of the season for Reds.

A late Poynton equaliser denied Knutsford a victory that would nevertheless have given everybody involved with a second difficult campaign at the hands of Covid-19 something of a lift.

On the balance of play Knutsford would have deserved all three points but paid a price for a lack of cutting edge at times and the hosts showed a never-say-die attitude to rescue a draw.

Poynton went ahead on seven minutes after a cross from the right was converted by Joe Pullen.

Knutford's poor luck with injuries continued when Juan Vilches-Narro, making a rare start, pulled a hamstring and was replaced by Carl McCurrie up front a minute later.

The equaliser was not long in coming, Charlie Roddick finding the net with a first-time volley from 20 yards in the 11th minute.

Knutsford dominated the rest of the half but could not craft a clear chance and there were lots of mistakes all over the pitch, with the bobbly pitch not helping to produce fluent football.

Alex Howarth headed over the bar from a corner and a McCurrie left footer went just wide, while keeper Chris Allen was called upon to make a couple of saves.

On 54 minutes McCurrie converted from close in with his right foot.

Matt Toole went close for Poynton, as did Max Kennedy and Roddick for Reds.

Then on 90+3 minutes from a throw-in that was not cleared, Toole hit home a good half volley.

Knutsford: White, Roddick, Hanson (Plant), Riley, Brotherton, Howarth, Kennedy, Quinn, Vilches, Vilches-Narro (McCurrie), Allen.