A late equaliser gave Haydock a draw in a controversial clash in St Helens.

Manager Jon Hudson had to rotate his squad with Pete Greenwood away, Alfie Howarth injured and Callum Evans suspended. Brad Cooke was back in goals, new signing Harry Shipton made his debut and Renshaw and Wilson also returned to the starting line-up.

After a slow start, Valley dominated the game. Deering was denied twice by the keeper, and Adams and Johnson should both have done better with headed opportunities.

In-form Mike Woolley with another goal and another fine display.

The deadline was broken on 18 minutes, Shipton won the ball in midfield and drove forward, Woolley timed his run to perfection and beat the keeper to give the visitors the lead.

The visitors continued to dominate. Riley hit the bar with a drive and after great work from Deering, Johnson hit the post from close range. It looked like one of those days when Riley with another powerful drive hit the post with his shot.

It was all Valley. Riley, Deering and Johnson all missed the target with efforts.

But the home side hit back, a break down the left-hand side, the winger beating Renshaw and firing a ball across – turned home at the back post to make it 1-1. Then straight from the kick off they attacked again, the centre half clipping the top of the bar with a looping header.

HT: Haydock 1 Mersey Valley 1

Valley started well after the break, Johnson again going close and Deering firing just wide.

Sam Deering scored his 10th goal of the season.

The lead was restored, Riley played Woolley into space and his cross was headed home by Sam Deering to give the visitors a deserved lead.

The game then swung in controversial circumstances. Roach and the Haydock number 10 Glover went in to compete for a ball, Roach got their first and Glover went in high and dangerously on the Mersey Valley defender, right in front of the referee who awarded the free kick.

The pair tangled on the floor and Roach kicked out. With Haydock players surrounding the referee and their bench also screaming at the official he showed the Mersey Valley defender a straight red card but amazingly gave nothing to the Haydock player.

It made no difference to the pattern of the game as Valley still were the only side creating real chances – Woolley and Deering both going close and the Woolley should have scored but hit the post.

The home side started to use their extra man but weren’t really creating chances, a speculative cross-shot clipped the bar.

With 90 minutes up the referee indicated he would be adding 3 more minutes yet added a further 2 and it was in the 95th minute Haydock got their equaliser, great work by Perrin to float a dangerous ball over which was headed home at the back post.

Dramatic late drama to deny Valley a three points their overall play had deserved.

FT: Haydock 2 Mersey Valley 2