CUDDINGTON twice cancelled out a two-goal deficit to earn a share of the spoils against 10-man Middlewich in the JA Walton Challenge Cup on Saturday.

They rise to third in Group B as a reward.

Gary Wakefield converted a penalty to put the visitors in front at Seddon Street inside three minutes, by which time Town's Mike Whitehead had been dismissed as punishment for a foul that prompted the spot-kick award.

Dave Griffin levelled for Middlewich on 17 minutes, meeting Sam O’Sullivan’s corner on the volley from close range.

They took the lead shortly afterwards when O’Sullivan’s free kick from long distance squirmed away from the Cuddington goalkeeper off a slippery playing surface.

Alex Leigh headed wide for Cuddy when well-placed, a miss that felt more costly when Callum Priestley steered in the Witches’ third goal after O’Sullivan had directed Joe Devaney’s pass into his path.

The away team closed the gap before the break, when Middlewich defender Chris Yearsley diverted Leigh’s flick-on from a free kick past helpless goalkeeper Charles Masters.

Town’s number one was alert to help a header around an upright early in the second period, but he could only watch when Cuddy then hit the crossbar.

At the other end, Sam Wakefield drilled narrowly wide after Mark Rebbeck and substitute Elliot Goryl had combined.

Masters blocked with a boot as Cuddington applied pressure before Middlewich extended their lead to 4-2 when O’Sullivan finished smartly.

Gary Wakefield was left unmarked to make it 4-3 with a header, then substitute Jay Alexander equalised with a well-timed volley.

Town will have to defend better when they host higher-ranked Sandbach United in the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup this weekend.

Cuddington visit Unicorn in League Two the same day.