Kengni leaves it late to rescue Celtic

A LAST gasp equaliser gave an under-par Stalybridge a share of the spoils in an underwhelming game at Bower Fold.

Celtic’s biggest crowd of the season was largely starved of entertainment in a clash in which neither side showed any real glimpses of the levels they are capable of.

Neither keeper made a save in anger in an eminently forgettable first half enlivened only by a jinking run and shot from Celtic’s Matty Wolfenden that flashed inches wide of Theo Roberts’ right hand post.

Buxton took the lead on 52 minutes with a goal that summed up the game, an attempted clearance by Chris Smalley cannoning off his defensive partner Michael Clarke and looping over the stranded Paddy Wharton to limp meekly over the line.

Despite Buxton being reduced to ten men when Brad Roscoe was red-carded for a two footed challenge on Neil Kengni on 64 minutes Celtic huffed and puffed to little effect, although Ross Dent did hit the bar, and as the game ticked into injury time the Bucks looked to have secured only their second away win of the season.

Substitute Greg Wilkinson had other ideas though and his raking defence splitting pass freed Kengni to round Roberts and net the equaliser with Celtic’s first effort on target of the afternoon.

STALYBRIDGE CELTIC 1 BUXTON 1

STAR MAN: Greg Wilkinson (Stalybridge) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★