PHIL Wilson's Lancaster City threw a 3-1 lead away against the 10 men of Moor Green but there were still more smiles than frowns around Giant Axe.

The Dolly Blues played some of their best attacking football in years and had it not been for a quite astonishing goalkeeping display from Moor Green stopper Dan Crane Lancaster's lovely football would have been rewarded with a flood of goals.

Crane was awesome to keep the Dolly Blues at bay, although the City defending did contribute to the entertainment.

The draw was rough on City star striker Alex Taylor. The youngster is quite simply terrific and terrorised Moor Green all afternoon.

He scored two and deserved the match ball after a display to warm the hearts on a wet afternoon.

Taylor struck with a fine header from Ryan-Zico Black's corner just 181 seconds into the clash to put City 1-0 up and then was denied by Crane as he looked to make it two.

But from that Crane save, Black barhed Mike Eckersley out of the way to give City their double advantage.

Nick Rogan could have made it three only to see Crane claw the ball away and even when Phil Trainer shot home after loose defending there was no panic.

There would have been panic if Darren Middleton had scored when clean through but Moor Green went down to 10 men on the stroke of half-time when Ben Petty lived up to his surname.

He was sent off for not retreating for a free-kick despite repeated warnings and already being on a yellow card.

And from that kick Crane saved well from Black as City finished on top.

City started the second half well against the ten men and Taylor made it 3-1 on 58 minutes when he slid in imperiously to convert Black's cross via a Stuart Howson flick.

But any thoughts of a stroll were dashed when Andy Penny escaped his marker to make it 2-1 and three minutes later Trainer drilled home as City's defence dozed.

A long kick from Crane found Sean Dowdall, who managed to get free on the left, and his cross should have been dealt with but Andrew Bond missed his kick and Trainer unmarked levelled.

Crane saved miraculously from Black after the move of the match as the striker combined with Ryan Elderton and then the Green keeper broke Lancaster hearts at the death.

Big Dave Shaw was sent on to get a winner by Phil Wilson and Shaw nearly obliged when Black's cross found him at the back post.

Shaw did nothing wrong but looked on in amazement as Crane's groin ensured a thriller finished 3-3.

CITY: McMillan 7, McMahon 6, Scott 6, Howson 6, Eckersley 7, Uberschar 7 (Elderton 57, 8), Bond 6 (Shaw 81), Morris 8, Rogan 7, Black 8, Alex Taylor 9. Subs (not used): Foxcroft, Squirrell, Andy Taylor Referee: Kevin Mattocks (Chorley) Attendance: 293