Nantwich Town twice let a two-goal lead slip as they were held 3-3 in a dramatic finish away at Whitby Town.
Dave Cooke’s side led 2-0 and then 3-1 before the hosts staged their stunning fightback.
A dull first half was punctured with a fine Joe Malkin goal on 30 minutes to give Nantwich the lead.
A short corner found Jamie Lawrie, whose cross into the box was brilliantly headed by Malkin giving Shane Bland in the Whitby goal no chance.
Whitby had chances early in the second period to level before Malkin grabbed his second and made it 2-0 to Nantwich on 64 minutes.
Sean Cooke won the ball from the corner, took it to the byline and knocked it to Malkin who only had to tap it home.
Eight minutes later, Whitby reduced the arrears with a superb strike from Wearmouth who beat Hall at the near post.
Nantwich regained their two-goal advantage just tow minutes later.
David Webb grabbed his first goal for the club with a stunning effort that beat Bland from outside the area.
But again the visitors allowed Whitby back into the game, this time giving away a penalty on 76 minutes.
Langley took down Wearmouth on the run and Hackett rifled the spot-kick into the bottom corner despite Hall guessing the right way.
The drama didn’t end, as with just three minutes remaining Whitby were awarded a second penalty.
There was a scramble in the box and the referee suddenly pointed to the spot.
Hackett stepped up again and this time fired into the bottom-right, sending Hall the wrong way.
Both sides huffed and puffed in the final few minutes but the game ended in a draw, with the Dabbers scratching their heads and letting the victory slip from their grasp.
It leaves Nantwich in 10th place in BetVictor Northern Premier League, on same points as Whitby in ninth.
Now Cooke’s men will gather themselves for the massive FA Cup 1st Round game next weekend when they welcome National League side AFC Fylde to the Weaver Stadium.
(Images courtesy of Jonathan White)
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