A LATE leveller from Litherland denied Winsford United a victory on Saturday but Blues at least stopped a sequence of six defeats in all competitions.

Declan Gregson finished neatly with eight minutes left to cancel out an opening goal by debutant Obi Anoruo for the visitors.

They included five new faces in the starting line-up, including the familiar ones of goalkeeper Matthew Green, midfielder Kyle McGonigle and attacker Andy Keogh.

The impact was encouraging, and Anoruo was unfortunate when a goal-bound shot in the second minute from Damian Skolorzynski’s cross was blocked on the line.

They had another chance shortly afterwards when Joe Duckworth, making his first league start for the club, sent a close-range effort against a post.

Litherland custodian Gerard Walker recovered to block his second attempt.

He had to be alert too when McGonigle’s speculative effort from the halfway line prompted him to tip over while backpedalling.

Green wasn’t inactive either, and diverted a drive from Gregson to safety with his fingertips.

However a breakthrough for Winsford followed on 19 minutes when Onoruo fired high into the corner after Duckworth spotted him in a better position.

The 17-year-old went close again before the break when his shot flew inches wide.

Litherland dominated the early exchanges after the interval, and Green saved low when Warren Jevons tried his luck.

There was relief for Blues too when they smuggled the ball clear following a scramble in the six-yard box.

They gradually found a way back into the contest and Keogh’s hesitation when sent clear by Onoruo allowed Walker to save at his feet.

A blow followed on 82 minutes when Gregson ran onto a pass that ought to have been cut out before lifting the ball over Green.

The host pushed hard for a winner without success, while at the other end Clayton McDonald’s header was held by Walker.

Litherland | Walker (GK), Connor, Crist, Kamara, Riley, Cato (Tyson 72), McShane, Lipson, Colin McDonald (Foy 60), Jevons, Gregson Subs not used McEvilly, Dobson, Murphy Goal Gregson 82 Booked Jevons

Winsford | Green (GK), Skolorzynski, Downey, Jones, Delaney, Clayton McDonald, McGonigle (Collins 81), Hopper, Anoruo, Keogh, Joe Duckworth Subs not used Jamal, Lee Duckworth, Taylor, Cookson (GK) Goal Anoruo 19 Booked Skolorzynski, Keogh

Referee Michael Crusham

Attendance 61

Match report by Bob Astles