KENDAL Town were denied victory in their season opener as a late equaliser snatched a point for Mossley in a 2-2 draw.

Home skipper Andy Keogh put the Lancashire side ahead after just nine minutes, but the teams went in level at the break after Oliver Wood scored the Mintcakes' first goal of the season.

After Sam Bailey scored a penalty early in the second half Kendal looked to see out the game and secure the points, but three minutes from time Keogh popped up for his second to prevent Dave Foster starting life as head coach with a win.

It was a draw that would inevitably disappoint a slick young Kendal side who will feel they ought to have taken maximum points against a Lilywhites side who for the most part lacked their potential fluency.

It all started off well enough for Mossley and they capitalized on a strong start in the 9th minute.

Successive corners saw first Javan Benjamin’s excellent left wing in-swinger turned away for a right wing corner by keeper Will Kitchen. This time John Bennett’s near post strike was flicked goalwards by Andy Keogh with the ball cleared from over the line, but the linesman indicated it had already crossed.

Mossley's long-ball gameplan didn't help them extend their advantage, with Kendal picking up the pieces and beginning to dominate as the clock ticked towards the interval.

Home goalkeeper Liam Flynn was called upon to make a couple of good saves late in the first half, but he could do nothing to stop the equaliser.

A stray midfield pass was picked up by the speedy Danny Forbes and he slipped the ball through for Oliver Wood to deftly finish past the advancing Flynn from ten yards.

Kendal completed the turnaround seven minutes into the second half after a deflection in a packed penalty area struck the stray arm of Mossley's Desi Flanagan. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the spot kick, and Mintcakes captain Sam Bailey calmly finished, sending Flynn the wrong way in the process.

Encouraged by the goal Kendal took control of the game with quick passing and good movement as Mossley were forced into regular desperate clearances and owed much to the heroics of Flynn for keeping them in the tie.

But the young Mintcakes began to fade after putting in a huge shift on a ground where they lost last season. And with Mossley starting to get back in the contest, the pressure was too much and the equaliser came just three minutes from time.

McGonigle’s throw in from the right somehow found its way across the box to Jonah Gosling who teased a delicate cross for Andy Keogh to head home from six yards.

It was Mossley who pressed for a late winner but Kendal held on to earn a point that was the least their performance deserved.