Tom Peterson salvaged a point for Bootle against City of Liverpool after Danny Mitchley’s spectacular opener.
The Purps got off to a dream start through the former Skelmersdale United striker. His overhead kick beat Josh Ollerenshaw after just seven minutes when a corner was headed back into the danger zone.
Bootle were incensed just minutes later after Nivaldo raced through before going down under the challenge. The referee was having none of it, awarding a free-kick to the Bucks and showing defender Jack Hont a yellow card.
Paul McNally’s side had two chances to double their lead. Firstly through Jack Hazelhurst, the playmaker looked to add to his impressive collection of free-kicks, who had his head in his hands when he saw his effort land on the roof of the net.
Mitchley nearly doubled his tally for the afternoon when he latched onto a loose Jacques Welsh header but couldn’t steer his lob over the Bucks goalkeeper.
Steve McNulty’s side went into the break a goal down but made a strong start to the second-half.
Despite their bright showing after the restart, they struggled to fashion a clear-cut opportunity. As a result, they turned to the bench in the form of midfielder Ben Rydel and forward Andy Owens introduced.
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The striker on dual-registration almost had an immediate impact as he lost his marker in the area. However, he couldn’t generate the power and direction to beat Ben Barnes in the City of Liverpool goal.
Bootle then went closer through Jack McGowan. The ball sat up perfectly for the attacker but his stinging left-foot effort rattled the post.
Their pressure soon paid off when Peterson cushioned his header into the back of the net in the latter stages. A searching pass was flicked on by the Owens for the former Purp who expertly nodded home.
Both sides pushed for the crucial goal late on and it was the hosts who came closest. Mitchley bore down on goal but despite beating Ollerenshaw, the post was there to deny him and City of Liverpool a second.
The Bucks goalkeeper then spared his own blushes as he had to scramble to pick up at the second attempt after initially fumbling from James Steele.
But the points were shared seeing City of Liverpool move up a place away from the bottom four. Bootle sit six points off the playoffs.
Match Stats:
City of Liverpool 1-1 Bootle
Goals: 7′ Danny Mitchley, 70′ Tom Peterson
HT/FT Score: 1-0/1-1
