Celtic denied by controversial late equaliser

Stalybridge Celtic were forced to settle for a point against promotion rivals Clitheroe on Saturday, (January 13) after the visitors equalised late on in controversial circumstances.

Celtic took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Darius Osei turned in Obua Mugalula’s pinpoint cross from the left to give his side the lead.

The hosts then doubled their advantage soon after, with Max Leonard rising the highest to head home Cole Lonsdale’s whipped corner and put Celtic 2-0 up.

James Kinsey’s side then came inches away from finding a third just minutes into the second half, with Mugalula’s cross-field pass landing at the feet of Darius Palma, who cut inside his man and fired his effort just over the crossbar.

Visitors Clitheroe then made their mark on the match soon after, getting a goal back just before the hour mark through Andy Teague who headed in from a corner.

The away side continued to pile on the pressure following the goal, with Luke Hewitson being called into action two minutes from time, diving low to deny Clitheroe an equaliser.

The shot-stopper, who has recently extended his stay at the club, was busy again two minutes into injury time, producing a phenomenal save to deny ex-Celt Domaine Rouse from the 1v1.

With just seconds of the match remaining, it seemed as though Celtic had done enough to secure all three points, but in the 98^th minute of the match visitors Clitheroe were provided with a lifeline in the form of a spot-kick.

In utterly bewildering circumstances, a foul was given against Celtic substitute Brad Byrne, who volleyed the ball clear inside the penalty area before colliding with a Clitheroe player, who seemed to run into the Celtic man.

Richard Baker was on hand to slot the penalty home and rescue a point for his side in the dying embers of the match.

A heartbreaking end for James Kinsey’s side, who could have moved up to third with a win.

Instead, they currently sit in fourth position in the Northern Premier League West table.