FOR the second time in five days Colwyn Bay failed to defend what should have been a winning lead as they conceded two late goals at Cammell Laird on Boxing Day after being 2-0 up with 12 minutes to go.
At least they hung on for a point in a 2-2 draw on a ground where they have always previously been beaten, but after losing a 3-0 lead against Carlton last Saturday, one point from two games in which the Seagulls have been in a great positon to take all six, will not please the fans or manager Gary Finley.
The squad was again badly hit by injury and unavailability, but they should have had enough about them to have seen out those last 12 minutes.
After a goalless first half, John Lawless picked up a pass from Steve Wynne and beat two defenders to score with a low shot inside the near post 10 minutes into the second half, and then a mix-up on the edge of the Laird area 10 minutes later saw home defender John Collins knock an attempted back pass past his own keeper for Neil Black to run on and tap into an unguarded net.
The Bay held that 2-0 lead until the 78th minute before former Colwyn Bay midfielder Chris Adamson pulled a goal back for Cammell Laird, and Colwyn Bay were hanging on desperately after that with nothing in midfield to give the defence some protection.
Jamie Speare, who made four good saves in the first half, kept his side in front with two more fine saves from Adamson and Alex Hey, but with four minutes left substitute Joe Gibiliru was brought down inside the area and Alex Hey fired home the penalty to put the sides level.
Only some frantic defending and another brave save by Speare at the feet of Hey prevented the home side snatching a winner.
In the first half Anthony Murt had a good shout for a penalty waved away as he went down after a strong run into the box, but Bay's best chance was volleyed wide by Tim Brandreth following a corner, while the Bay were lucky to escape when Thomas Rooney shot against a post after a defensive mix-up had left him all on his own 12 yards from goal.
Colwyn Bay: Speare, Wynne, Boardman, Brandreth, Taylor (Crowder 84mins), Wade, Williams, Olsen, Black, Murt, Lawless. Subs not used: Roberts, Finley.

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