Hyde United 1 Lancaster 1 MANAGER Tony Hesketh hasn't signed any new players yet but he's already building for the next campaign after the 1998/99 season fizzled out at Hyde on Saturday.

The hands-on manager has been checking out the youngsters in the reserves ahead of their North West Alliance League Cup final against Altrincham.

And he was impressed by what he saw. Said Hesketh: "I saw them last night and I was really knocked out. There's great potential here and that was on show."

Earlier Hesketh said he had lined up some players for some time but had been waiting for the close season to start.

Maybe that fired a bit of fight in the hearts of the existing players who came back from behind to force a draw.

Hyde were more inventive at the outset and it was no surprise when Hyde captain Don Page glanced home a header on 19 minutes.

But striker Stuart Diggle and makeshift front man John Kennedy gave it all they had and the two of them created a gilt edged chance on 25 minutes.

Diggle cleverly threaded it through for Kennedy who mishit his shot.

Just four minutes later City were level. Winger Paul Crompton powered up the left into the Hyde penalty area. He was tripped by centre half Paul Taylor and Kennedy slotted home the penalty.

In truth Hyde dominated the rest of the half but the Blues came into their own in the second.

Midfielders Steve Trainor and Graham Taylor came into their own and the chances started to fall City's way.

Taylor came closest but in the end City missed an in form, fit centre forward - the story of the season since Peter Thomson left for Holland.

Team: Thornley, Fleming, Grahm, Udall (capt), Hartley, Gelling, Taylor, Trainor, Diggle, Kennedy, Crompton.

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