Congleton 1 Great Harwood 1

GREAT Harwood's brave battle against relegation is over after Denis Underwood's men failed to pick up the three points necessary to retain their UniBond League status.

Martin Horsfield's second half penalty miss ultimately proved costly and Whitley Bay's late equaliser at Trafford condemned the Reds to a place in the bottom two.

But Harwood will be left to rue some controversial referring decision's which should have seen Congleton keeper Stuart Heeps sent off and Horsfield awarded another late penalty.

In a tension-packed opening period, Horsfield burst clean through on 17 minutes only for Heeps to handle the ball outside his box but the Congleton keeper astonishingly escaped a red-card.

Dave Bennett then headed over before a moment of madness from Paul Whalley, who aimed a head-butt at Simon Rudge, resulted in the Harwood defender being sent off on 31 minutes.

Horsfield and Mark Walsh both came close either side of half time and Heeps made a brilliant save to deny Bennett as the visitors fought back. But Congleton took the lead on 65 minutes when Chris Bermingham's free kick hit the underside of the bar and Russell Payne pounced to poke home the rebound.

A minute later Heeps was at the centre of controversy again but escaped even a booking after bringing down Graham Lightbown outside the area.

Harwood were handed a lifeline, though, with 17 minutes left when Wayne Johnson pushed Horsfield in the back but the veteran striker's spot kick was saved.

That set up a frantic finale and Lightbown gave the Reds hope with a sharp finish six minutes from time after Jonathan Smith headed down a free kick. And as they pushed for a winner, Horsfield broke into the box and was about to pull the trigger when a defender caught his heel but the officials waved away strong penalty appeals.

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