Vauxhall Motors 1 Stalybridge Celtic 1

AN action-packed game at the Motassist Arena on Monday finished with Motors ruing yet another two points dropped as they earned their third draw of the Blue Square North campaign.

Their first big chance came on 20 minutes when Tom Rooney had his shot saved by the legs of Staly- bridge keeper Paul Phillips.

Motors had most of the possession but it was Celtic who took the lead on 40 minutes when Nathan Joynes hit home a low right-footed shot following a cross from the right wing.

In the second half, the Motormen continued to dominate possession and got their just rewards on 60 minutes.

Karl Noon was fouled just outside the penalty area and Alan Griffiths hit a powerful free kick which took a slight deflection, leaving Phillips stranded, unable to get to the shot.

The Motormen began to grow in confidence and on 75 minutes Noon whipped in a great cross from the right for Chris Noone, but his header went inches wide of Celtic’s left-hand post.

Influential Motors captain Ged Brannan could have given his side a deserved thee points on 80 minutes but his header was cleared off the line by a Celtic defender.

On 86 minutes, Lee Ellington nearly pulled the rug from under Motors with a late Celtic winner, but thankfully his turn and shot from 15 yards out went inches over the crossbar.

Motors still had time to fashion a couple more decent chances before the whistle.

First Mattie Burke hit a 20-yard effort which was saved by Phillips then, on 88 minutes, Rio Nelson was put through by Burke but he put his shot wide following a great run through the middle.

Vauxhall: Coates, Owens, Egerton, Brannan, Griffiths, Holmes, Noon, Burke, Nelson (McFadden 88), Rooney, Noone (Wright 88). Subs: Hannigan, Smith, Holden.

Attendance: 271.