LANCASTER City's fearless youngsters showed they have spirit to match their skill as they fought back to snatch a draw against Droylsden in one of the most dramatic finales Giant Axe has seen in years.

With three minutes left the Dolly Blues were dead and buried at 2-0 down but they stood proud and shocked the Bloods to fight back and draw.

It was stunning stuff and the fans who left early to nip for a pint were left to regret their decision.

Firstly Joe McMahon lashed home the perfect volley before Tom Pope stole the show as he bundled the ball home from close range to complete the comeback of the season.

The Dolly Blues had dominated the opening stages of an entertaining encounter and the returning Tony Sullivan could have become an instant hero inside the first five minutes but he sent a shot just the wrong side of the post after excellent work from Alex Taylor.

It was a bright start from Sullivan and his City team-mates as they took the game to the Bloods, although Terry Fearns should have put them in front shortly after Sullivan's miss.

The outstanding Taylor was denied by a smart Paul Phillips save as Lancaster looked to up the ante but both sides managed to cancel each other out until the half-time whistle.

The first half had been pretty good for City as they looked to bounce back from their two successive league defeats but they were rocked on 49 minutes when Kevin Rapley raced in to put Droylsden ahead.

And it could have got worse as Rapley missed a much easier chance and then Fearns sprung the City offside trap only to fire a shot wide of the goal when it appeared easier to score.

And try as they might, City were struggling to find their first period rhythm as the young legs were chased around Giant Axe.

But suddenly, with the game apparently up, City's got their lifeline.

A big free kick into the box saw Pope beat ex-Morecambe man Carl Ruffer in the air and Joe McMahon was on hand to volley home ferociously from eight yards.

It was a smart finish but with 87 minutes played it seemed too little too late.

Then, in scenes of great drama, another ball into the box found Pope and the on-loan Crewe striker made no mistake to hand City a draw.

Lancaster: McMillan 7, Eckersley 8, McMahon 7, Howson 7, Scott 8, Uberschar 8, Sullivan 7 (Elderton 60, 8), Bauress 8, Bond 8, Pope 8, Alex Taylor 9. Subs (not used): Foxcroft, Holliday, Andy Taylor, Shaw Referee: Graham Beswick Attendance: 271