Bear win tie in last seconds (From Warrington Guardian)

Bear win tie in last seconds

CENTRE forward John McAllister was Congleton Town's cup hero on Saturday in a dramatic last 60 seconds.

Visitors Leek CSOB grabbed an equaliser on 90 minutes which looked certain to take the match into the extra time.

However Congleton had other ideas, and raced down the Leek end from the restart for McAllister to make it 3-2.

The victory in the third round of the League Challenge Cup earned the Bears a fourth round tie at second division side Flixton.

"Saturday's match was reminiscent of games a couple of years ago, and had a dramatic final minute," said Congleton press officer Ken Mead.

"Fletcher punished us for squandering our earlier chances.

"We failed to deal with a left wing diagonal cross, and he turned to shoot low past McCormick at the foot of the post.

"That looked certain to send the game into extra time, but scarcely had the Leek cheers died down when McAllister pounced to drill the ball home after a raid down the right.

"No-one would have begrudged us this win.

"We had most of the play, and created numerous good chances."

Congleton took the lead in the second minute when Quirk placed a free kick from the edge of the box into the top right hand corner.

A goalbound header from Alston was headed off the line, and the Leek keeper saved acrobatically to keep out a volley from Baker.

The Bears should have extended their lead as half time approached.

Quirk raced unchallenged into the Leek penalty area, but guided the ball wide of the post.

Leek had three chances in as many minutes at the start of the second half, and equalised on 54 minutes.

The ball popped up as Bears' keeper McCormick tried to get to it as it dropped close to the edge of the box, allowing Fletcher to guide a header into an unguarded net.

Murcott fired a shot over the bar, and Glover put Congleton ahead again on 64 minutes.

The Bears were awarded a free kick 20 yards out, and a fierce drive from Glover was deflected past Leek keeper Hall into the net.

Hall pulled off a top class save to keep his side in the tie by pushing a shot from Krupa over the bar.

Krupa clipped in a cross which McAllister headed over.

The Bears travel to Salford City tomorrow in the league.