ATHERTON LR came within four minutes of progressing to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday before having to settle for a 1-1 draw at home to fellow NW Counties Premier Division side Congleton.

Congleton, early-season pacemakers in the league, arrived at Crilly Park as favourites, but Jake Patton’s 52nd-minute strike threatened a shock result until Mark Fitton’s late equaliser took the tie to a replay tomorrow night at Congleton’s Booth Street ground.