Hurst Green continued their title assault in West Lancashire League Division Two with an enthralling 4-3 win over rivals Leyland United thanks to an injury time winner from substitute Derek McCarthy.

The Ribble Valley side fought back from 3-1 down with just 15 minutes remaining to record a thrilling victory to stay top of the table.

Leyland arrived with the division’s best record having only been beaten once all season – and they showed off those credentials as they led 2-0 and 3-1 before Green’s battling fightback.

Andrew Leggett gave he visitors a half time lead which was doubled soon after the restart by Kevin Houghton.

But the Smithy Row side showed their never-say-die attitude and Ross Dent pulled one back, bravely beating the on-rushing keeper to side foot the ball home from 20 yards.

However, the game seemed to have been put beyond Green when Morris scored a controversial penalty with 15 minutes left.

But Green pulled one back straight from the restart when Chris Scott found Danny Walker in the area and he finished coolly to reduce the arrears.

The momentum was with Green and they levelled with five minutes whenWalker headed home a deflected cross.

And two minutes in to injury time, Hurst Green completed a remarkable turnaround when Brierley delivered a delicious cross from the right that substitute McCarthy slotted home from close range to seal victory.