AFC DARWEN rescued a point against AFC Liverpool in a thrilling North West Counties Premier Division encounter at the WEC Group Anchor Ground.

The two sides shared six goals with the Salmoners scoring six minutes from time to secure a draw against a Little Reds side who had won their first three games of the campaign.

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AFC Darwen remain without a win this season but the late equaliser could be a turning point for them.

The visitors started quickly, Steve Jones testing Daniel Fradd in the opening minute, but Darwen settled into it and Paul Coote missed a glorious chance to open the scoring when he met Connor Gaul’s corner in the six-yard box, before Gaul himself had an effort cleared off the line.

The Little Reds took the lead when Liam Loughlin’s long ball saw Fradd lose out in a challenge to Ryan Cox, who was left with a simple finish.

That started a spell of four goals in 14 minutes as Gaul quickly equalised with his free-kick adjudged to have crossed the line after hitting the underside of the bar.

The Salmoners then took the lead when Coote finished from six yards out, but the two sides went in level at half-time as Francis Barry equalised from 20 yards.

AFC Liverpool went back in front when Liam Loughlin curled home from the edge of the box.

But with time running out Darwen levelled as Kiel Lonsdale tapped home following Karl Turner’s pass.

Padiham recovered from their midweek defeat against Barnoldswick Town to beat Ashton Athletic 2-1.

Kieron Pickup fired Padiham ahead after 40 minutes when he shot home from just inside the area.

The Storks made it two within a minute of the restart when a fine through ball from Matt Cross saw Chappy Massamba beat the offside trap and shoot past Pearson.

Callum Mahoney pulled one back for the visitors 12 minutes from time, scoring from the spot after a foul was given against Tom Fowler.

Colne’s 100 per cent start to the season came to an end as they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at home to Runcorn Town, with Jay Hart and Spencer Jordan scoring.

Goals from Peter Wright and Warren Beattie gave Nelson a 2-1 win at Bootle while Barnoldswick Town won 1-0 at West Didsbury & Chorlton thanks to Joseph Gaughan’s goal.

In the First Division Bacup Borough’s search for a first win goes on after they were beaten 3-2 at Stockport Town.