Unbeaten run stretches to 7 games (By Adam Bailey)

The Bears looked to be on course for a third successive victory after Jamie Petrie opened the scoring on 16 minutes, but on an Australian themed day at the club the visitors came back from down under to share the spoils and end Congleton’s winning run.

Congleton made two changes from the side that started the 3-1 victory over AFC Darwen in midweek. James Blair dropped from midfield to right-back as Rick Bailey and Luke Sephton replaced Nathan Haynes and Sam Marshall in the starting XI.

Seven places separated Congleton and 18th placed Squires Gate heading into the game, but the match started evenly with neither side testing the opposition goalkeeper. Brian Matthews fired wide across the goal; while Gate’s Nathan Trout saw his shot go just over the crossbar.

The deadlock was broken just after the quarter-hour mark after Rick Bailey produced an inch-perfect cross to find Jamie Petrie unmarked in the centre of the area. The former Connah’s Quay and Bangor City forward steered his header brilliantly into the bottom corner leaving Gate’s goalkeeper Joshua Woods with no chance. Petrie is not the tallest of forwards but both his goals in the last week have been scored with his head.

Squires Gate searched for an equaliser and Dominic Kurasik had to be alert to deny Mark Buchan’s low drive in the 22nd minute. There was a nervous moment for the Bears ten minutes before half-time when Kieron Kenny had to make a vital interception to deny a shot that looked destined for the back of the goal.

Congleton were the better team in the opening period of the second-half, but they could not find a second goal that would have provided a valuable cushion. Scott Sephton showed great skill and awareness to find Petrie with a back-heel inside the box, but the Bears' goalscorer could not add to his tally with his shot deflected just over the crossbar. Scott’s brother, Luke then had a chance to double the Bears' lead as he tried to slide the ball under Woods’ legs but the Squires Gate goalkeeper was equal to his effort.

The longer the deficit remained at one goal the visitors believed that they could earn a valuable away point. First, Kurasik was called into action to deny Jacob Hingham at the near post in the 66th minute, before Ryan Tanser drew the visitors level four minutes later. Gate’s forward latched onto a long ball from Nathan Trout; Transer took a touch before coolly slotting into the bottom right corner and beyond the reach of Kurasik.

The Bears were desperate to take all three points as they look to end the season strongly and tried to find the winner. Brian Matthews attempted the spectacular, but his volley was deflected behind for a corner, before James Blair’s powerful shot was saved low by Woods from the following corner. The introduction of top-scorer Scott McGowan from the bench could not provide the spark to break down Gate’s resolute defence and left the Bears having to settle for a point.

Congleton Town: Kurasik, Blair, Jackson, Whiteoak, Kenny, Willis, Bailey (Marshall 78), S. Sephton, Matthews, L. Sephton (Haynes 68), Petrie (McGowan 74).

Substitutes not used: Alston, Moores.

By Adam Bailey

Upcoming games:.
Tuesday 22nd March - Ashton Athletic, away, 7:45pm.
Saturday 26th March - Nelson, away, 3pm.
Monday 28th March - Alsager Town, home, 3pm.
Saturday 2nd April - AFC Darwen, home, 3pm.