Cheadle Town 2 Prescot Cables 2 (after extra time)

Report by Bert Taylor

CHEADLE'S 48 goals in 13 games pointed to a hard away game for Prescot Cables in this North West Counties Challenge Cup first round and the performance of the second division team came up to expectations with the visitors relieved to avoid defeat in the last minute of normal time.

Cables' hero was striker Peter Cumiskey with two vital goals. He levelled the score three minutes after Mark Paolo had shot the hosts into a first-half lead. And he had it all to do again as time was running out with Cheadle in the lead for a second time, thanks to Ian Humphries' opportunism.

And what a great last-gasp equaliser it was with Cumiskey beating all challengers during a fine run down the left wing before shooting out of the reach of goalkeeper Gary Walker into the net.

Overall, this was a typical hard-fought cup-tie with a draw probably a fair result.

Both goals escaped with the blessings of good luck rather than good management and both sets of forwards could have done better considering the number of scoring opportunities created.

During the early play, the ball was snatched from the reach of Andy McMullen's head as Cables earned two successive corners. And, at the other end, a Simon Heaton attempt was finger-tipped out for a fruitless corner by Prescot 'keeper Greg Price.

McMullen had a noteworthy attempt punched away from the goalmouth by Walker and, seconds later, was in a good position when he was flagged offside.

Prescot boss Arthur McCumiskey made his first substitution by calling upon newcomer Phil Nze for Aaron Cramsie. Another youngster, Roscoe came on during extra-time in which there was no further scoring. He replaced McMullen.

Phil Noon, usually a goalkeeper, was Prescot substitute number three. He was called upon as centre-back Simon Hughes retired but did not get a kick before the referee blew the final whistle.

Prescot team: Price, Joyce, Cramsie, Cassidy, Hughes, Lynch, Davis, McMullen, Cumiskey, Wilson, Doyle. Subs: Nze, Roscoe and Noon.

The replay was scheduled for Hoghton Road last night (Wednesday).

This Saturday Cables have a league fixture at Darwen, and on Tuesday, October 28, they visit Rossendale United in the second leg of the Floodlit Trophy first round. Prescot won the first leg at Hoghton Road 3-1.

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