Runcorn Town Reserves' defensive frailties continued yesterday with the team twice failing to hold onto a lead in a 3-3 draw at Manor Athletic.

Town's last clean sheet was three months ago and they have managed just two all season, with Manor seizing the early initiative by going ahead after just six minutes.

Mark Wakefield found space down the left hand side and crossed to Lloyd Ithell in the box. He turned and hit a shot into the top corner that Carl Williams could do nothing about.

Town were back in it after 16 minutes with Dave Jolley getting the first of a brace of goals. Ben Butler picked up the ball on the left hand side and put in an excellent cross which Jolley fired into the net from close range.

The visitors were dictating play with Dave Ginever and Connor Anderson both going close, and it was no surprise when Town took the lead through Jolley. Ginever made a great run behind the defence with Martin Daly finding him, and Ginever's low cross was turned in at the near post by Jolley.

Despite dominating most of the first half, Town could not seem to get going in the second with Manor equalising with only their second shot after 54 minutes. The home side won a free kick 30-yards out with Ithell finding the top corner of the net with Williams inches away from it.

To their credit Town's heads never dropped and they took the game to Manor with Butler heading Danny Cummins' free kick just wide of the post. Town took the lead for the second time after 65 minutes with Anderson finding the top corner of the net from the edge of the box after Ginever's cross was only half cleared.

Cummins almost made it four with a 25-yard free kick that hit the crossbar, but Town were undone again with Martin Cartham equalising in the 79th minute. A cross from the right found Ithell who laid it off to Cartham, with his 20-yard shot going underneath Williams and into the net.

Town thought they had won it in the last minute of the game when Cummins' cross was headed goalwards by Ged Bushell. The ball hit the post and rolled along the line before Manor cleared, and despite strong protests the ball had crossed the line, the referee couldn't be sure and waved play on.

Town: Williams, Ginever, Illidge, Davies, Tudor, Butler, Daly, Cummins, Jolley, Anderson, Graven. Subs: Bushell, Orme, Grice