Stockport County 2 Peterborough United 2

Last updated : 31 January 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Stockport's almost took all three points at home to Peterborough, but Sammy McIlroy's team still face a mountain to climb if they are to drag themselves out of the relegation zone following this 2-2 draw.

It was Peterborough who started the better of the two sides and should have been two-nil in front within three minutes.

Steve Thompson let fly with a vicious drive after only 70 seconds which rattled the crossbar, while towering hitman Clive Platt made a handful of himself to direct an athletic overhead kick goalwards which Hatters keeper Anthony Williams did well to tip the ball onto the roof of the net.

But, it was no surprise when the visitors did take the lead through a powerful 20-yard strike from Curtis Woodhouse. It was Platt who laid the ball off and Williams was well beaten as the ball flew into the bottom left-hand corner of the net.

However, against the run of play, the home side hit back through a bizarre own-goal.

Platt was the culprit as he failed to deal with a quick Richie Lambert free-kick and, under the pressure of John Hardiker, directed his attempted headed clearance over the bemused Mark Tyler in Peterborough's goal.

And to rub salt into the wound after their early dominance, Barry Fry's team went behind when Lambert poked home from close range in the 26th minute.

Young winger Andy Welsh sent a teasing ball to the edge of the area and Lee Cartwright slotted through to Lambert who never looked like he was going to miss from close range.

County's lead did not last long as Andy Clarke levelled matters four minutes later with a looping header from a Tom Williams' cross.

And that was the way it stayed until the final whistle as neither side could convert some good chances in front of goal.