Nantwich held to 2-2 by Buxton as Crewe youngster joins on loan

Nantwich Town fought back well from 0-2 down to earn a point at home to Buxton.

The Dabbers made up for a poor first half display at the Weaver Stadium.

And they showed fighting spirit to come back after the break.

Dave Cooke’s men were 1-0 down after just eight minutes when Liam Hardy caught the home defence cold in a training ground move.

A corner was curled across the box and Hardy found himself unmarked to head home.

Hardy almost added a second a few minutes later when his rasping shot brushed the crossbar.

Nantwich huffed and puffed but were 2-0 on 33 minutes.

Diego De Girolamo raced through and took the ball around Greg Hall and finished well from a narrow angle.

It was a goal Buxton had deserved on the balance of play.

Joe Davis headed against the bar on 39 minutes as Nantwich finally came alive.

Ricardo Fuller and Joe Malkin came off the bench at half time and the hosts began brightly.

And on 53 minutes they pulled one back, this time Davis making no mistake powering in a header from a corner.

Fuller and Malkin both went close on 64 minutes as the hosts piled on the pressure for a leveller.

And on 67 minutes they found it, the two subs combined as Fuller found Malkin in space and he applied a cultured finish for the Dabbers.

Malkin went close as he poked over the bar and Buxton were forced to defend desperately as they clung on for a point.

Meanwhile, Nantwich Town have signed Crewe Alexandra youngster Luke Offord on a loan until January 21.

The youngster graduated from the Alex academy in 2018.

Offord can play across the back four or in central midfield and has continued his positive progression with the development of Dave Artell’s side, who sit in the Sky Bet League Two play-0ff places.

During the 2018-19 campaign, the Alex snapped him up to a two-year contract with the option of a further two years.

Manager Dave Cooke said: “We are pleased to bring in Luke, he will bolster our defence.

“Luke had a successful loan spell with Witton Albion towards the end of last season, so he knows the league already.

“I would like to thank Dave Artell and Crewe Alexandra for allowing Luke to come to Nantwich.”

(Match images courtesy of Jonathan White)