NELSON had to settle for a point despite taking the lead twice at Bootle in the NWCL second division.

The Blues dominated the first half hour and went in front after 23 minutes when Carl Howarth was brought down in the penalty area and Andy Howarth converted the spot kick.

Lee Coldridge should have increased Nelson's lead just before the interval, but shot wide with only the keeper to beat. Bootle piled on the pressure in the second half and, after a series of near misses, scored the equaliser when John King headed home a high cross at the far post on 62 minutes.

The Blues struck back almost immediately and stunned the home side with their second goal three minutes later, when Carl Howarth held off a defender while turning in the six yard box and forcing a low shot past the Bootle keeper.

Both sides continued to create chances, but the Nelson defence were never fully in control of their own penalty area and paid the price when Ronnie Morgan was given the room to fire a low shot from 20 yards into the bottom corner of Mark Canning's net after 79 minutes for the second equaliser.

BOOTLE...2 NELSON...2