A MUCH-CHANGED Cammell Laird 1907 FC team, due to injuries, suspension and unavailable players, entertained Winsford United for their first home fixture of the season on Saturday.

Lairds went into the fixture full of confidence after two away victories to begin the season at Foley Meir and Stockport Georgians, with both winning margins being 2-1 thanks to goals from Jack Kelly (2) and Jamie Eaton (2).

The hosts started badly and after only seven minutes conceded a dubious penalty for an innocuous hand ball and this was converted by striker Jack Woolley with ease. 

United then continued to dominate matters for long periods of the half, with Lairds only managing one effort on goal in the first half, but they stayed resilient at the back against lively opposition, despite the loss of defender Danny Stevens due to an injury, the score remained 0-1 at the half time interval.

The second period saw Lairds showing more adventure they but lacked the killer touch when required despite the prompting of Haydn Cooper, Joe Caswell and Eaton and were punished again in the 71st minute when failing to defend a near post corner as Woolley added his second goal of the game.

Keeper Will Ebbrell came to Lairds rescue a couple of times with some fine saves, and the home side's perseverance was finally rewarded in the 83rd minute as Lairds pulled a goal back following a goalmouth scramble which resulted in an own goal.

Lairds continued to attack the visitors and following yet another foul, the referee awarded a free kick some 20 yards from goal before Eaton blasted home a great effort for his third goal in three games to level the scores and retain Lairds unbeaten start to the season as they claimed a hard fought point in a difficult encounter.

Lairds next fixture is at home at the KRCT Stadium on Tuesday (6th) versus Runcorn Town with a 7.45pm kick off.