NELSON 2 ATHERTON LR 2

NELSON had victory snatched from their grasp deep into injury time -- but they remain top of NWCL Division Two, leading Warrington by three points.

Kiko Rodriguez saw an early chance come off the crossbar before Kevin Richardson put the Blues in front with a left foot shot into the top corner of the net on eight minutes.

John Bailey's side forced the pace during the first half and should have increased their lead but instead it was Atherton who equalised on 38 minute when Barry Massey took advantage of a defensive lapse to beat Mark Canning with a low shot.

Nelson had to battle against a strong wind in the second half and never regained their dominance but went 2-1 up when Scott Gizon scored at the second attempt from Jonathan Irvine's cross after 76 minutes.

It looked as though the points were safe and Mark Robinson almost added a third in the dying minutes with a header just over the bar.

But Massey stunned the home crowd with a late, late equaliser.