BEN Hardcastle struck at the death to rescue a point for Warrington Rylands on Tuesday evening.

In their manager Neil Reynolds' first return to former club FC United of Manchester since his six-year spell at the club came to an end, Blues trailed 2-1 going into injury time until Hardcastle's free kick found the net with seconds of the game left.

A sharing of the spoils means Rylands' unbeaten run in the Northern Premier League Premier Division has now stretched to seven matches.

This was a second 2-2 draw in four days for Rylands but unlike Saturday's clash with Hebburn Town in which they took the lead twice, Reynolds' side had to come from 1-0 and 2-1 down on this occasion.

Jay Fitzmartin slid the hosts into the lead just before half time, but Jake Burton pulled the visitors level less than a minute into the second half.

Adam Le Fondre then restored FC United's lead from the penalty spot on the hour mark, and that looked like being enough for all three points until Hardcastle's late intervention.

After the game, Reynolds reflected that on the whole, both sides taking a point each from the game was probably the fairest outcome.

"It was strange coming back – this was the first time I’d returned – but once the first ball was kicked it was two really good footballing sides going toe-to-toe with each other," he said.

"The way we moved the football in the first half in particular was probably as good as we’ve used the ball, but they get the goal and you’re wondering what you need to do.

"We spoke at half time about getting on the front foot straight away, which we did with Jake (Burton) scoring.

"They got a foothold in the game then and were good, they got the penalty and go 2-1 up.

"Then it’s about character. We started playing like we did in the first half, got a decision towards the end and we’re a side that never knows when its beaten.

"Confidence is high, Ben strikes the free kick and it takes a deflection and it goes in.

"On the balance of play, when you strip it right back when emotions have calmed down, I think a point is a fair result."

Watch Reynolds' full post-match reaction below

Rylands rise to 13th in the league table ahead of Leek Town's visit to Gorsey Lane on Saturday.

Warrington Rylands: Pilling, Smith, Regan, Hopper, Holding, Neild, Kiwomya (Hindle), Hardcastle, Waring, Burton, Daniels. Subs not used: Lonsdale, Furman, Hough, Bakkor