MARSKE FC staged a remarkable comeback in the annual derby match against local rivals Guisborough Town on Boxing Day.

In the first half there were plenty of chances for both sides before Guisborough took the lead on 15 minutes when Marske defender Liam O’Sullivan put the ball into his own net, trying to clear a cross by Marske’s Peter Bulmer. Guisborough doubled the score when Danny Earl scored from close range and then missed an easy chance just before the interval.

The team talk at half-time seemed to spur Marske onward and they became an attacking side, getting their reward in the 57th minute when Sam Garvie scored after the ball ping-ponged around the goal area. Marske continued their attack and were denied an equaliser on several occasions.

They were then reduced to ten men after Josh McDonald got a straight red card after a reckless two-footed challenge and in the resulting melee two more Marske players were booked.

Marske’s new signing Thomas Bott came to Marske’s rescue in the final minutes scoring with a free kick to make it 2-2 to gain them a point.

Guisborough manager Chris Hardy said: "I feel Marske will be happier with the point today, given the fact we had a couple of great chances, not half chances, to put the game out of sight and as seen so many times in football no sooner are you missing at one end, your opponents go up the other end to punish your missed opportunity, so for these reasons comes the disappointment.

"I believe a draw was about the right result today giving the fact it became a game of two halves."

As a result Marske are now third in the Ebac Division 1 league table and Guisborough one point behind in fourth.