AFC Liverpool avoided a third league loss on the bounce, drawing with Winsford United 2-2.

Substitutes proved supreme in the match, with both side’s substitutes scoring braces for their respective clubs.

Kyle Schorah scored both goals for the Reds, who was substituted on for Billy McCarthy, in the 19th minute of the first half.

Manager Chris Anderson was full of praise for Schorah.

He told Merseysportlive: “Kyle (Schorah) scored 20 goals and 20 assists or whatever in the season, he would normally play and is a big part of what we are doing.”

“A player like Kyle (Schorah) will always impact the game.”

Vice Chairman of AFC Liverpool, Greg Armstrong, agreed.

“He’s a right old player for us, he’s coming back from a bit of an injury, so having him coming on and get those goals.

“We know he’s capable of doing that, he’s a good player for us, he’s really fantastic really, to get a good result for us.”

The first half

The home side dominated possession with a couple of chances testing the opposition’s keeper, Ryan Hamer.

Winsford’s Matthew Coughlan also tested Jack McGovern in the first 20 minutes with a long range shot.

David Short also attempted a long ranger that skimmed the netting, putting the pressure on AFC Liverpool.

The number 12 ran around keeper Hamer and tapped in to make it 1-0 to AFC Liverpool.

Winsford levelled on the brink of half-time thanks to a clinical finish in the box from Sam Madeley.

An inspired comeback in injury time nearly led to the Blues taking lead but a resilient home defence ensured it was 1-1 at the break.

The second half

The Reds took the lead again in the 54th minute with Schorah’s second of the game.

Hamer struggled to keep the looping ball out, holding it with both of his hands behind the line due to pressure from the forwards.

Despite calls for a foul, the referee allowed the goal.

But the Blues equalised once again to make it 2-2 in the 71st minute, thanks to a clinical finish from Madeley for his second of the game.

Schorah had a great chance to complete his hat-trick in the 75th minute with a close range chance.

However, Winsford’s Hamer and his defence were quick to block the shot.

Both sides had genuine penalty shouts late on.

Full time

The AFC Liverpool manager was delighted with the reaction from his players after losing the last two previous league fixtures.

Anderson said: “For the last couple of games we haven’t performed where we need to and the players haven’t performed at the levels they need to.

“I was happy with the reaction and attitude from the players coming in today.”

The Vice-Chairman added: “That point makes us mathematically safe in this division.

“Mid-table is sort of what we wanted when we got promoted last year, we’ve pretty much achieved that.”

Looking forward

The result sees AFC Liverpool on 41 points and stay 13th in the North West Counties Football League.

Winsford arel one place above in 12th, with 43 points but they have a game in hand.

Next week, the Merseyside team will face Longridge Town in an away trip on March 12.