Salford City left-back Luke Garbutt netted from 35 yards as his side battled to a 2-2 draw against promotion-chasing Stockport County.
The Ammies came into the game 17 places below their local rivals in the League Two table but would produce an impressive first-half performance. Goals from Luke Garbutt and Curtis Tilt gave the home side a deserved 2-0 advantage at the break.
However, former Salford Captain Ibou Touray inspired a second-half fightback from The Hatters who regained parity with half an hour left to play through energetic attacker Isaac Olaofe.
Karl Robinson made one change to the team fielded in Salford City’s 3-1 defeat to MK Dons. Dan Chesters replaced Connor McLennan in the starting lineup.
His side had approached the local derby on a less-than-impressive run of form. Yet The Ammies came racing out of the traps and were rewarded for their early endeavour after seven minutes when Luke Garbutt rifled the ball past Ben Hinchcliffe from 35 yards.
WHAT A HITTTTTTTTT! pic.twitter.com/qThaVEln8P
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) March 14, 2024
Garbutt’s piledriver set the tone for Salford’s first-half performance. Spurred on by the moment of magic, the Ammies maintained the early intensity with Theo Vassel working to nullify the threat of dangerous striker Isaac Olaofe.
Despite their opponent’s energetic start, Stockport County threatened to hit back and looked lively on the break. With Olaofe and Kyle Wooton queueing up at the back post for a tap-in, Hatters’ captain Paddy Madden decided against squaring the ball and saw his low strike well saved by Alex Cairns.
Stockport were duly punished for their wastefulness on the counter-attack as Salford extended their lead. With 39 minutes on the clock, Matt Smith headed Luke Garbutt’s deep free-kick back across the box for Curtis Tilt to head home from close range.
At the interval Karl Robinson’s team were good value for the two-goal lead. But that buffer between the two sides would not last.
Salford City fans watched their side be pegged back by a familiar face six minutes after the restart. Former Captain Ibou Traore capitalised on slack defending by the home side and slotted past Cairns to spark the Stockport resurgence.
As The Hatters piled on the pressure, Salford’s back line began to crack. Stockport substitute Rico Richards squandered a golden opportunity, the attacker failed to get his shot off quickly when played through by Wooton.
League Two’s third-place team continued to lay siege to the Salford goal and would find the equaliser on 64 minutes. Throughout the second half, Isaac Olaofe possessed the calmness lacking at times in Stockport’s attacking play. The striker found a composed finish when played through one-on-one, sliding the ball low past the onrushing Cairns to level the score.
With their backs against the wall, Salford City showed real resolve and grew back into the game at 2-2. Robinson’s side felt that they should have had a penalty when Fraser Horsfall appeared to foul Junior Luamba in the box.
Following the equaliser, both teams struggled to retain the ball and produce any chances of note. Although the game lacked a grandstand finish there had been no shortage of entertainment.
All over and the points are shared.@salboyltd || #SALSPT pic.twitter.com/sfmtFrsoYp
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) March 14, 2024
Although The Ammies produced a much-improved performance, Salford City are now without a win in their last five matches and remain in 20th. With some of the sides below experiencing an upturn in form, Karl Robinson’s side could be dragged back into a relegation battle.
Stockport’s comeback sees The Hatters extend their gap over Crewe to three points. The Hatters hold strong automatic promotion claims aided by a favourable run-in.
Salford City face Morecambe in their next match this Sunday (2pm kick-off.)
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