RICKY Mercer grabbed a deserved late equaliser as Kendal Town fought back from a goal down to pick up their fourth draw in six league games against Prescot Cables on Tuesday night.

The winless Mintcakes dominated much of the proceedings but fell behind to a long-range Phil Bannister strike in the first-half.

A host of chances followed but it was centre-back Mercer who popped up with the goal with just nine minutes left on the clock.

Boss Dave Foster was forced into a number of changes to his side from the dramatic draw with Brighouse Town.

With striker Mark Jackson and defender Rory Winters serving suspensions and Maison McGeechan taken ill, young attacker Reece Fishwick and Mike Rushton led the line while skipper Warren Beattie dropped back into central defence and Tommy Watson slotted into the centre of midfield.

Kieran Walmsley also made his return to the side at the expense of John Ross after a number of weeks on the treatment table.

And it was Kendal who started spritely spreading the ball around the field with confidence.
Rushton had an early chance to open the scoring but his volley sailed well over the bar before Craig Carney smashed over from 25 yards.

Prescot had their first sight at goal after 12 minutes but Bannister’s volley was comfortably saved by Danny MacDonald, the man between Kendal’s sticks.

Fishwick was running the channels well and causing headaches for the Prescot back four with two chances in quick succession.

The 17-year-old had his first chance after 16 minutes but his effort was smothered by keeper Adam Reid and his second, which came after he outmuscled Prescot captain James McCulloch, was pushed behind for a corner.

But on the 31 minute mark, against the run of play, Prescot broke the deadlock.

Kendal gave the ball away cheaply in midfield and Bannister charged at the back four before firing a pin point shot which crept agonisingly past the despairing dive of MacDonald into the bottom left-hand corner.

Prescot were on top for the rest of the half but Kendal’s defence stood firm to see out the first 45 minutes.

Kendal again started strongly and were getting into good areas but just could not find the killer ball or clinical finish needed.

On the hour mark, the bench were up in arms when it appeared keeper Reid handled outside his box.

Fishwick and Rushton both broke the offside trap and as the latter attempted to lift the ball over Reid it looked to strike his hand - but the referee waved play on and Rushton’s follow up shot ended up six inches wide of the post.

More probing followed as Kendal pushed for a breakthrough but clear chances were soon at a premium.

But, finally, on the 81st minute mark Mercer, who has looked dangerous from set-pieces all season, broke free of his marker from a Walmsley corner and powered home a half-volley to restore parity.

With Kendal looking more likely to grab the full three points, substitute Danny Forbes rushed his shot and blazed over as both teams were forced to settle for a draw.