Millan leaves it late to salvage draw at Griff

A strike from substitute Andy Millan two minutes from time earned Saints a deserved point on Wednesday night and extended their unbeaten run in league and cup to five matches.

Despite the rain which fell continuously throughout the match, both sides put on a good display of football, although chances were hard to come by in an even first half.

Among the best of the action for Saints was a long-range shot from Andy Taylor in the fourth minute which was comfortably gathered by home keeper Shaun Harris and a well-struck shot by captain John Blunsom on the half-hour from a pass by Ross Jackson.

Anvinder Thiara headed over the bar from a Richard Kay inswinging corner from the right before Mitchell Piggon had a good chance for Griff with two minutes of the half remaining, only for man-of-the-match Blunsom to come across and clear the danger.

Griff opened up the stronger of the two sides after the break and, in the 55th minute, James Stott saved low down from Piggon.

It looked as if the match was 
heading for a stalemate until Steve Flavell got the better of Mark Cheung to send in a fierce shot that Stott could only parry and Piggon followed up to give Griff the lead in the 78th.

Millan should have equalised six minutes later, blasting wide with only Harris to beat, but the Saints striker made amends when getting on the end of a Jack Taylor corner in the 88th minute to pick his spot and give Harris no chance.

The draw took Saints up to 14th place in the table with matches in hand of the teams above them.

n Missing from the squad at Griff were defenders Paul Holland and Richard Middleton, who are to leave the club, with Middleton having been the subject of a seven-day notice from Coventry Copsewood.

Manager Luke Fogarty said: “Both played their part earlier in the season but, with the competition for places, I couldn’t guarantee they would be in the starting line-up.

“At this stage of their careers, they need to be at a club where they will get a regular game. I wish them well for the future.”

Tomorrow, Saints are at home to Pilkington XXX (3pm)..