LINNETS Ladies fought back from two goals down late on, having earlier led by the same margin, to take a share of the spoils in a Cheshire Women’s League humdinger.

How close they came in the dying seconds to taking all three points, the width of the post denying a miraculous comeback.

A game which had been played in good spirits turned controversial on the hour after the dismissal of three players, including two from Linnets. Runcorn’s manager John Pickering was fuming at the red card shown to one of his 16-year-old recipients.

Two-goal Beth Coppin had been confronted while trying to get the ball from an opponent for a quick Linnets free-kick.

“When you`ve got a clearly larger opponent, holding you by the collar whilst raining blows to your head, your instinct is to protect your head and face,” said Pickering.

“Beth at no time retaliated but was sent off for ‘raising her arms’ to fend off, and, in the opinion of every neutral, this was clearly the wrong decision.”

The game had started brightly, the visitors hitting the home side with quick passing to lead after 33 seconds through Coppin’s finish, assisted by Tempany Carlson and Chelsea Gillies.

Linnets’ midfield was creating chances and it came as no surprise when captain and Player of the Match, Mandy Kennedy’s quick pressing won the ball to set up Coppin’s second on seven minutes.

Three minutes later, the home side pulled one back from a move which was to be the favourite all afternoon – a ball over the top deceiving the Runcorn defence.

Linnets Ladies were still creating opportunities with Frankie Valdez and Lucy Wieland going close, the latter with a quality shot that rebounded off the foot of the goalkeeper's post.

From looking comfortable at 2-0, Runcorn found themselves 3-2 down as Wythenshawe scored again in the 25th and 27th minutes. This prompted the Linnets first substitution as Sadie Bond replaced Lorna Cairns.

With the home side ahead, with more than an hour to play, it was interesting to see their home keeper wasting time.

A good delivery from a corner had Gillies going close from a well-rehearsed move, heading over six yards out in front of goal.

Frankie Valdez almost exploited her own fine interception but the young midfielder was denied by an excellent save.

If John Pickering gave a "keep it tight" instruction at half-time, it fell on deaf ears as defensive mistakes led to a Wythenshawe penalty within a minute.

Nat Pinnington guessed the correct way but the ball went in off a post.

At 4-2, Runcorn were staring down the barrel. Despite Valdez and Carlson advancing on the flanks, they struggled for a foothold.

With Emma McLarney replacing Frankie Valdez (55 minutes), Runcorn reshuffled the pack. A minute later, Pinnington produced a fantastic double save.

The mood changed on 60 minutes. Beth Graham was sent off in the aftermath of Coppin’s red card and the Wythenshawe player involved in the initial incident was also dismissed. Linnets boss Pickering had no argument with either decision. Visiting skipper Pinnington quickly called a team huddle and you could sense an anger in Runcorn’s play; they were never going to be beaten now.

A 69th-minute handball led to Linnets penalty, converted by Carlson.

Pinnington came to the rescue again, superbly tipping a long-range effort on to her bar while Gabby Evans, Jo Finnegan, Sadie Bond and Ana Duran Anca were tireless in defence, also providing the ball for Kennedy and Gillies to feed the forwards.

In the 81st minute, the Linnets equalised through Carlson - good play by Wieland and Duran Anca allowing the winger to crack home an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box.

Wythenshawe were there for the taking. Mary Rossiter-Gurrell replaced Duran Anca on 87 minutes. A minute later, more quick passing created an opening for Carlson, whose effort rebounded off the foot of an upright.

Runcorn Linnets Ladies: Nat Pinnington, Ana Duran Anca, Lorna Cairns, Jo Finnegan; Gabby Evans, Frankie Valdez, Chelsea Gillies, Mandy Kennedy, Tempany Carlson; Beth Coppin, Lucy Wieland. Subs: Sadie Bond, Emma McLarney, Mary Rossiter-Gurrell. Not Used: Beth Graham, Lile Ashley.