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In a bid to return to winning ways, Congleton were held at home in a 1-1 draw to Irlam, courtesy of an overhead kick from Jesse Ebosele, earning the visitors a point.
The Bears, who have made huge strides under Richard Duffy this season, have now gone four league games without a win – putting an end to what was an outstanding unbeaten home record.
Duffy’s side, who now sit in 8th place, remain in a strong place to climb the North West Counties Premier Division, with games in hand on teams currently above them.
Congleton also have quarter final ties on the horizon in the Macron Cup and FA Vase while Stayleybridge Celtic await The Bears in the last 16 of the Cheshire Senior Cup.
Congleton Town, who opted to return to a back four, began the game on the front foot with Leon Arnasalum firing into the hands of Thomas Goodwin from close range in the early moments.
The Bears’ electric start was rewarded within fifteen minutes with a trademark set-piece routine resulting in Richard Duffy heading home from close range.
Congleton will be disappointed to not have gone in at the interval with a bigger lead as Arnasalam and Dan Needham failed to convert chances from close range.
Irlam however, more than matched their hosts as Connor Phelan and Luke Nicholls both saw efforts whistle narrowly wide of Dave Parton’s goal.
Chances dried up for both sides following the interval until an audacious overhead kick from Jesse Ebosele drew Irlam level.
Richard Duffy: “It [the equaliser] stopped us in our tracks, we didn’t really create a lot and they always looked comfortable.”
In the closing stages of the game both sides had their goalkeeper’s to thank for earning a point. Goodwin was on hand to tip over a fierce Pete Williams effort from range, while Dave Parton denied Nicholls from close range.
“A tough one to take really, we did really well first half and could have possibly put the ball in the net a few more times.
“We created enough to probably go in more than 1-0 and second half we didn’t get going and fairplay to them they came out and gave it a go.
“Once they scored it came a bit of a basketball match and a drew was no good for us. But all in all, disappointing.”
