Steeton down Garstang at the last to move out of drop zone

In a game that was low on quality, Roy Mason’s side scrambled over the line thanks to young striker Josh Coe finding the net with the last kick of the game.

That made it six points in six days for the Chevrons in the North West Counties Football League First Division North, with Saturday’s game seeing them register their first clean sheet of the season too.

The result moved Steeton out of the relegation zone and gives them a platform to build on heading into a busy Bank Holiday schedule.

Josh Coe steers Steeton to three points at the death on Saturday. (Image: Ian Meachin.)

Both sides looked to get a foothold in the first half, however with the two midfields struggling to keep possession, it proved a scrappy affair.

Half chances were the order of the day with Steeton first seeing a Lewis Gartland effort turned away from goal.

At the other end, the visitors did find the back of the net, but only after the referee had blown the whistle and pulled play back for a foul in the build-up outside the area.

Steeton had arguably the best chance of the first half, Jacob Smith testing the Garstang keeper from range with a lovely free kick whipped around the defensive wall.

Josh Debenham beat the offside trap before the interval for the hosts, his volley however dipped over the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

The second half again was devoid of any real quality as both teams looked for a much-needed three points.

James Catlow continued his fine form between the sticks for the home side as he made two superb saves to keep parity.

His first was particularly good, as he had to reach behind him to claw away a goal bound header from Weslie Bajraliu.

Catlow then found himself stretched once more, this time to tip another effort away from goal, moments before Inacio Balde beat the offside trap but dragged his effort wide of the far post.

James Catlow had to be at his best in the Steeton goal in the second half to keep Garstang out. (Image: Ian Meachin.)

Needing to find a spark, Mason made four substitutions in the space of 10 minutes with two, Coe and Alex Stewart, proving to be the changes the hosts needed.

Stewart’s impact was immediate as he added much needed attacking flair for his side.

This led to Steeton creating some second half chances, with Stephen Mercer hauling Debenham down in a dangerous position.

Moments later, Joel Sargeant made a good low save at his near post to deny Jake Townsend’s effort from range.

The home side then felt they should have had a penalty as Dan Illingworth was seemingly dragged down inside the area from an Arley Barnes delivery.

But the officials waved any protests away and the game looked to be fizzling out towards a goalless draw.

But second-half stoppage time brought a large dose of ecstasy and drama to those involved with the home side as Steeton found the only goal of the afternoon.

Desperately pushing forward, the ball was shifted wide to the left channel, where Alex Stewart drove forward and found a way past his full back.

Now with space on the edge of the area, the winger fed a peach of a delivery across the face of the ball and Coe made no mistake from five yards out as he tapped the ball home into the back of the net.

It proved to be the last action of the afternoon, with only enough time left for the kick-off, second-bottom Garstang floored by such a dramatic ending.