Linby reserves denied by last minute penalty

Linby reserves were pegged back with a late penalty against Clifton.

Injuries to Tom Eastwood, Harley Shooter and Matty Toseland meant that the 'pack' was shuffled once more and in came Toby Birch for his first start of the season up front.

Both teams would be happy with how they started the match, but Clifton looked the most threatening in the first 10 mins.

However, any sniff of danger was quickly thwarted by a defence that is looking more and more solid with the keeper Curtis Hall marshalling his backline really well.Linby had the first clear cut chance of the game when Travis Shooter found himself clear on goal.

This gave Linby a lift though and more chances followed. Ally Staley was denied what looked a certain goal when the keeper managed to get his finger tips to a dangerous cross.

Birch, Shooter and Marsden all had opportunities but failed to find the net.

Then Linby got done by a sucker-point when they failed to clear their lines and despite two brilliant reflex saves from Hall, Clifton bundled home at the third attempted for an unlikely lead.From the restart Linby pushed forward and Joe Humphreys picked out Shooter to power his header home to immediately bring the scores level.

The second half was all Linby and after numerous chances to take the lead Jack Marsden scored on 65 mins. More chances followed with Shooter and Birch both unlucky not to find the net.

On 30 mins Dom Hayes, Marshall Collingwood and Greg Conn all entered the match hoping to see the game out.

But in the final moments Collingwood was adjudged to have fouled his man in the penalty area and Clifton grabbed a goal from the spot.

In injury-time Conn had two great chances to snatch a deserved victory but it wasn't to be and the game finished all square.