Dale Women drew 2-2 at league leaders Atherton Laburnum Rovers Ladies on Thursday night.
Atherton went into the game knowing a win would put them three points clear at the top of the table with two games remaining, whilst Dale could have moved into the fourth position, just three points off third.
The hosts had the better of the opening stages, but it was Dale who had the best chance with 20 minutes gone, only to be denied by a fantastic save.
However, Atherton deservedly opened the scoring before the break with a coolly taken one-on-one finish, although there were shouts for a foul on a Dale defender in the build-up.
Dale improved after the break and grabbed an equaliser direct from a free-kick, which Chloe Latham smashed home from just outside the area.
Lee Atkinson’s side were on the front foot, but fortuitous effort from Atherton, which took two deflections, saw them retake the lead.
With ten minutes remaining, Dale equalised for a second time. Georgia Cocking won the ball back in midfield and found Shannon Gill, who fed Alicia Barnett. She drove to the byline and cut it back for Cocking, who finished off the move she started by firing into the top corner.
Gill almost won it for Dale but for a superb goal line clearance after rounding the Atherton goalkeeper, whilst a combination of defender Melissa Miranda and goalkeeper Leah Jackson denied the hosts at the other end, as the game ended level.
“We weren’t at our best in the first-half but, after a big half-time team talk, we improved in the second period.
“We made a few attacking changes when we went 2-1 down which paid off, and it was probably a fair result overall.
“Unfortunately, we found out Ellie Ferguson will be out for longer than expected as she needs further treatment on her ACL.
“Rebecca Leonard has also done her ACL and meniscus. She unfortunately won’t play again this season.
“Ellie Gill has had her knee operation and should be back with us for pre-season, whilst Darcey Griffin could be back with us in the next week or so after her back injury.
“Wiktoria Makowska managed more minutes again tonight and is slowly getting back to her best.”
Dale take on Boltonians Ladies AFC on Sunday (2pm kick-off) in their penultimate Greater Manchester Women’s Football League Premier Division fixture.
After the conclusion of their league campaign, they face two cup finals in three days. Click HERE for full details on the games.
