South Liverpool grabbed a point in the North West Counties Premier Division with a 1-1 draw against AFC Liverpool, writes Grace Johnson at Berry Street Stadium.
After losing four of their last five games, it was a welcome point for the Non-League Reds as they move above Abbey Hey and out of the relegation zone through goal difference.
The home side grabbed the first of the derby just before the 30-minute mark through forward Caleb Jones.
The number seven took the ball past the South defence to strike it from the right-hand side to put AFC ahead.
The visitors wasted no time as they equalised just five minutes later from a corner, which found defender Declan Gallagher with a free header to level the score.
Phil Stafford’s side had several chances to bag some more through Nathan Giblin and Elliot Taylor before half-time, but Giblin hit the side-netting and Taylor struggled in the final third.
After the break, both teams came out eager for another goal, with Gary Langley’s side getting the first chance of the half.
The Blues grabbed two corners in a row, and both were crucially punched away by goalkeeper Ben Barnes, who joined the Reds from Burscough last summer.
AFC’s Taylor had his go at the other end shortly after, with a strike from the edge of the box, which just missed the bar.
A cross from Jones soon followed but, again, the number nine placed it into the stands.
Stafford made some changes as Cameron Rooney replaced Matthew Brown, who still felt the effects of last Saturday’s shoulder injury against Charnock Richard.
Rooney quickly stepped up for the Reds, as his first chance from distance was deflected out by South’s defence for a corner.
The hosts desperately searched for a winner through Jones on the right-hand side, but South keeper Lucas Allen lunged to put it over the bar to keep it level.
The visitors spent extra time defending a free kick taken from Paddy Davies, but it was too late for AFC to grab a winner.
