Pilkington 3 Lostock Gralam 3

FOR the second week in a row, Pilks were denied victory by an injury-time equaliser.

The hosts led twice in the second half at Ruskin Drive after Graham Boylan’s double and Matthew Taylor’s strike, but James Dean’s hat-trick ensured the visitors took home a point.

It took Lostock, who sit directly below Pilks in the Cheshire League One table, just five minutes to open the scoring when Dean converted a penalty after being hauled down by Pilks keeper Dan Finney.

However, the goalkeeper made amends 10 minutes later when Lostock were awarded another spot-kick, with Finney diving to his left to keep the penalty out.

Pilks broke through when Boylan converted an excellent through-ball from Luke Sephton to level the scores.

The hosts wasted several chances to take the lead either side of half time, but the introduction of Brad Smailes proved decisive as his first cross was turned home by Boylan.

However, the lead was short-lived as a mistake by Miguel Gillam was seized upon by Dean, who doubled his tally to equalise.

With just five minutes remaining, a devastating counter-attack was finished off by Taylor and the goal looked like giving Pilks the win.

Sadly for them, however, Dean slammed home from a knock-down in injury time to rescue a point for Lostock.

Pilks travel to Cheadle Town Reserves on Saturday, kick off 3pm.