KNUTSFORD...1

Poynton...1

KNUTSFORD Football Club returned to the top of the Mid-Cheshire League in their final home game, but only for 24 hours.

They are still in with a good chance of runner-up position, but the Championship, which looked well within their grasp for a long spell this season, looks likely to go to Barnton again.

Knutsford brought the curtain down on their Manchester Road season with a splendid performance and enjoyed a spell of sparkling football during the second-half that was reminiscent of their excellent early season form.

Poynton probably needed just a point to maintain their first division status and they were appropriately up for the game.

Although at the end of the evening Knutsford were frustrated and disappointed, it was other results on other days that have cost them.

They did everything in their power on the night and their splendid approach play faltered in the last third, an old problem for Stewart Dow's side, but they deserved more from the game.

The Reds hit the woodwork four times, Faulkner with a superb free kick, Paul Hartley crashed his shot against the upright and then Dow struck the crossbar twice.

Knutsford had taken the lead when Chris Leigh sent the Poynton goalkeeper the wrong way with a his penalty after Deeley had been unceremoniously felled by a challenge from Ellis after 25 minutes.

On 40 minutes Knutsford's old antagonist Jimmy Williams tapped home an equaliser after Scanlon's shot spun loose.

Knutsford tried to grab the initiative again but the woodwork took a battering and the efforts proved fruitless.

Daine Johnson had to make two excellent saves as the Reds pushed forward and the Knutsford goalkeeper, replacing the injured Mottershead, showed he still has the class of the top Mid-Cheshire League goalkeeper.

Knutsford play Broadheath Central away and then finish their season away to Styal, on Saturday. Kick off 3pm.

Dow's men still have the League runners-up spot to play for with the League Challenge Cup already won.

TEAM: Johnson, Bell, Francis, Leigh, Rix, Wilkins, Deeley, Faulkner, P Hartley, Dow, Goulding (Gilligan 80 minutes). Substitutes not used Beattie, Harrison.