Ten-man Bootle held on to earn a point against Kidsgrove Athletic after having to weather a second-half onslaught from the visitors.
Jimmy Garlick powered home the equaliser with 17 minutes to go to cancel out Tom Peterson’s opener, minutes after the Bucks were reduced to 10 men.
Eddie Clarke was shown a second yellow card for a mistimed tackle down the right after kicking the ball away in the first-half.
Bootle went in at the break in front after Peterson’s touch scrambled over the line from James McCarten’s initial contact.
However, they could’ve had a more comfortable scoreline following their chances in the first 45.
Sam Taylor fired into the side-netting after a lapse in concentration at the back for the Grove. Arthur Lomax-Jones then saw his dipping effort saved by Ryan Brown.
Scott Dundas’ side were almost level at the break after an initial shot deflected in the path of Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi who poked wide.
The visitors’ intent was clear after the restart as they pushed to restore parity. Josh Ollerenshaw got an important touch from a cross before Jacques Welsh blocked on the line.
Substitute Kieran Knapper was the latest to be denied by the former Curzon Ashton goalkeeper after he was equal to the shot which came through a crowded six-yard box.
REACTION: Steve McNulty shares ‘disappointing’ Kidsgrove Athletic verdict as Bootle issue acknowledged
Lomax-Jones came close to doubling Bootle’s lead but Brown blocked the Tranmere Rovers loanee’s stinging effort. Five minutes later, the visitors had a man advantage after a cynical tackle from the left-back Clarke.
Shortly after, they were level as they finally broke the Bucks rearguard when Jimmy Garlick fired past Ollerenshaw.
Connor Millington momentarily had Brown worried when he tipped over his curling free-kick from 30 yards and the visitors almost claimed the points at the death. Will Saxon’s bobbling effort sprung the 32-year-old shot-stopper into action sparking a scramble but Bootle survived.
Match Stats:
Bootle 1-1 Kidsgrove Athletic
Goals: 27′ Tom Peterson; 73′ Jimmy Garlick
Cards: Eddie Clarke 41′, 69′ (red card).
HT/FT Score: 1-0/1-1
