MATCH REPORT: Cheadle Town 2 AFC Blackpool 2
Despite taking a two-goal lead after just seven minutes, AFC ended the game with one point and with only nine players following two red cards.
With keeper Callum Kirkland unavailable, Andy Speight made a rare appearance in goal as AFC sought to bounce back from successive defeats.
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Hide AdIt was home keeper Daniel Whiting who came under the early pressure and was unable to prevent AFC taking the lead after just five minutes, when a superb long-range shot from Ben Fishwick gave him no chance.
And just two minutes later top scorer Ben Duffield doubled AFC’s lead from the penalty spot.
The home side rallied and pulled one back with a penalty of their own on the stroke of half-time.
It was a moment which changed the game as AFC captain Martin Baird received a straight red card for preventing a certain goal by handling on the line, and Liam Delaney sent Speight the wrong way from the spot.
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Hide AdWith a man advantage the home side took control in the second half and they poured forward.
AFC didn’t have a shot on target in the second half and Cheadle’s pressure told when Richard Whyatt equalised on 76 minutes.
The visitors held on despite their second red card, when Fishwick received his marching orders after a melee in front of the dugouts.
AFC remain seventh, three points outside the play-off zone with two games in hand on Cammell Laird 1907 in sixth. AFC travel to Atherton LR on Saturday.
Fylde: Speight, Donaghy, Betteridge, Mottram, Baird, Cassidy, Bishop, Fishwick, Duffield, McKenna, Gregory; subs: Nay, Williams, Dawson, Hargreaves, Caunce.