AN end-to-end match ultimately saw Holker Old Boys under-13s edged out 5-4 at home to Fleetwood Town in the third round of the Lancashire Cup on Sunday.

The visitors started the brighter at Rakesmoor Lane and went ahead early on, only for Holker to respond straight away when Max Dixon and Sol Stanway combined down the left to set up Farryl Foster to side-foot home the equaliser.

Fleetwood re-took the lead soon after, capitalising on some hesitation in the box following a corner and smashed the ball home. It got worse for the home side as they struggled to play to their full potential at times and they went in 3-1 down at half time.

However, Holker started to put in a more assured performance when play resumed, and clawed one back when Bobby Steele broke down the left and finished one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Fleetwood restored their two-goal cushion straight from the kick-off, but Holker narrowed the gap again when Charlie Dunkley finished over the opposing goalkeeper.

With 10 minutes left, the away side got their fifth, but Holker kept pushing and were rewarded when Evan Foster slotted in a through-ball which Dixon cooly finished from.

The hosts then threw everything forward in search of a late leveller, but were unable to get themselves back into the tie as they bowed out of the county cup.

A special mention also goes to Holker stand-in goalkeeper Kieren Noonan who was faultless throughout the match.