Liskeard Athletic 1 Mousehole 1

A sensational strike from Lyle Johnson two minutes from time rescued a point for South West Peninsula League division one west leaders Liskeard and preserved their unbeaten record in a thrilling game at Lux Park on Saturday afternoon.

Midfield man Johnson produced a shot from 25 yards which gave Mousehole goalkeeper Dom Angove no chance to send the home players and supporters into raptures.

Earlier, Paolo Sousa had fired the visitiors into a deserved 49th minute lead after a mazy run and low shot from 18 yards.

And Mousehole, who included recently-appointed manager Kevin Nicholson at left back, looked to be heading for all three points before Johnson’s thunderbolt.

It could have been even better for Liskeard because substitute Tom Cleveland was presented with a great opportunity to score an injury time winner, but in a one-on-one with Angove, the visiting keeper came out on top.

Play then switched to the other end where striker Callum Elliot had a great chance to win it for Mousehole, but Liskeard goalkeeper Jamie Blatchford made an excellent save.

It was a thrilling, breathtaking finish to an enthralling match between arguably the best two footballing teams in the division.

The first half was goalless but only because of some great goalkeeping, with Mousehole’s Angove denying James Lorenz in the sixth minute and 10 minutes later Blatchford brilliantly tipping a fierce shot from Elliot over the bar.

Lorenz then found space on the left side of the penalty area and drilled a low ball across the face of goal but nobody was there to provide a finishing touch.

Mousehole went on to boss the remainder of the first half, with Sousa twice going close from free kicks, while Lorenzo Qeremi fired a shot just wide from 15 yards in the 39th minute.

Sousa’s goal four minutes after the break set up an all-action second half, with Mousehole coming close several times to a killer second goal. The closest they came was after 63 minutes when skipper Billy Curtis saw a bullet header cleared off the line by Sam Gilbert.

Qeremi was also desperately close in the 73rd minute with a fierce low shot which went inches wide with Blatchford rooted to his line.

But Liskeard somehow found second wind for the last 10 minutes. A free kick from the excellent Jarrad Woods presented Dylan Peel with a free header but the big central defender sent his effort over the bar.

Then Tom Cleveland broke away from the Mousehole defence and looked favourite to get in a shot before Curtis got back to make an excellent tackle.

But Johnson’s excellent finish eventually rewarded Liskeard.

The only setback for the home side was losing Lorenz to injury 18 minutes from time after Curtis inadvertently stepped on his right hand.

Liskeard: J Blatchford, A King, S Gilbert, J Podmore, D Peel, M Thorp, L Johnson, J Lorenz (T Cleveland 72), B Waters (R Cleveland 86), J Woods, B Collins. Sub not used: D Guild.

Yellow cards: J Podmore (62), D Peel (75).

Mousehole: D Angove, B Curtis, K Nicholson, M Richards (T Tonkin 32), R Andrew, L Hunter, S Burt, L Qeremi, C Elliot, H Kaid, P Sousa.

Yellow card: S Burt (39).

Referee: M Whaley.