Prescot Cables 1

Kendal Town 1

THERE was heartbreak and frustration in equal measure for Kendal Town on Saturday as they had victory controversially snatched from their grasp on Merseyside.

When they should have been returning north dull of Christmas cheer, they instead set off home still shaking their heads in disbelief after a dubious last gasp leveller denied them a deserved three points.

After dominating proceedings with a splendid all round display against a Prescot side who have designs on promotion, they had taken the lead thanks to a Sean Paterson strike.

And when the ball appeared to roll out for a goal kick deep into stoppage time, it looked to be job done for Steve Edmondson's men.

But to their amazement, a corner was awarded and to the delight of the home fans, Martyn Jackson's header drifted into the net for the most controversial of equalisers.

It was so harsh on the Mintcakes who had produced one of their most impressive displays of the campaign against a Prescot Cables side who have an impressive home record.

The home fans must have been confident of another victory with Town going through a sticky patch at present, but it was the visitors who dominated the opening stages.

Kendal were compact and tight at the back, frustrating the hosts by denying them any space in a tight and hard fought first half.

And they also looked lively going forward and were a genuine threat in a half where chances were at a premium.

Prescot had their opportunities but it was Kendal who opened the scoring when just three minutes before the interval, a ball over the Cables defence fell to the feet of Paterson.

He drove forward and made a run into the box, and while his first effort was parried by Oliver Taylor in the Prescot goal, Paterson prodded home the rebound from close range to spark celebrations among the visiting contingent.

And they did not let their grip loosen as Kendal controlled the second half and nullified the hosts.

Prescot toiled largely in vain and their only real opportunity fell to Dan Atkins who saw his effort cleared off the line by the Mintcakes defence which proved resolute all afternoon.

Indeed, Town had their chances too and often looked likely to add to their lead.

Emil Jaaskelainen caused problems for the hosts and created a couple of half chances while Christian Sloan and Paterson also worked Taylor in the home goal, though he produced comfortable saves to prevent Town extending their lead.

Burt all Town's efforts proved to be in vain when deep into added time, the referee awarded that corner when the ball had seemingly gone out for a goal kick.

And Jackson who was in the right place at the right time to get onto the end of a delivery by James Edgar and looping his header over a helpless Morgan Bacon in the Kendal goal to rescue a point the home side barely deserved and leave Kendal dejected after an otherwise impressive display.