Kevin Richardson netted a dramatic injury-time equaliser to clinch a draw in the League Cup at Warrington Town.

Nelson earned a replay in the first round of the North West Counties League Cup after an action packed game at Cantilever Park in which Blues keeper Billy Carrington was the hero, keeping out a series of goalbound efforts from the First Division strikers.

The only shot which beat him was by Phil Mitchell after seven minutes which took a massive deflection off a Nelson defender on its way into the net to give Warrington the lead.

For the rest of the game Carrington stood defiantly as the last line of defence, producing saves - some othordox others unorthodox - to deny the home side, whilst his teammates worked hard to set up rare chances at the other end.

The Blues grew stronger in the second half, with their midfield creating some good moved and the forwards at last making progress.

Paul Barrett might have equalised with ten minutes left, but his near post header from Craig Bradshaw's corner flashed across the face of goal.

Carrington twice denied Tommy Baker in one-on-one confrontations, before Nelson forced an equaliser at the other end in the closing minutes of the game.

Warrington keeper Terry O'Hanlon got himself in all sorts of trouble as he kicked the ball against Kevin Richardson when trying to clear, and was then hopelessly out of position as he tried to retrieve the situation by the corner flag.

A quick throw-in by Andy Bennett then found Richardson, and his high ball into the goalmouth found the back of the net to level the scores and take the game to extra time.

Extra time was almost a repeat of the main game, with Warrington dominating the first half as the Blues defended stubbornly, sometimes on their own goalline. Paul Heavey came closest for the home side, rattling the crossbar with a rising shot from the edge of the area.

But again Nelson grew stronger in the second period, despite players from both sides going down with cramp, and the Blues midfield, prompted by the non-stop running of Paul Sconce, looked capable of creating a winning goal.

Bradshaw almost settled matters with two minutes left when he held off two Warrington defenders before chipping his shot over the keeper but inches past the angle of bar and post.

A good result for Nelson from a typical cup tie and they will hope to use their home advantage to good effect on Tuesday night.