WORCESTER Sunday League’s “Ginger Pirlo” came to the rescue as Stourport Swifts twice fought back from behind to draw 2-2 with South Normanton Athletic.

Swifts striker Nick MacPherson, also the leading marksman at the top level of the city’s Sunday scene, lashed inside the near post a minute after the Shiners had taken the lead for the second time at Walshes Meadow on Tuesday.

It was MacPherson’s 15th goal of his Saturday season with a further 23 in 15 games on Sundays for Callow End. 

Stourport could have trailed by more than one at the break as the visitors played with purpose. 

Shining light John King opened the scoring three minutes before half-time, latching on to a curving driven cross-field ball from Kieron O’Connell to fire high into the top far corner.

Swifts had been flat but looked brighter after the break with Ashley Parsons-Smith and MacPherson spreading the play before ex-Kidderminster Harriers prospect Dan Sweeney rifled home from the corner of the six-yard box. 

King’s fancy footwork caused the hosts to back off four minutes later with his daisy cutter across goal appearing to take a nick off a Stourport defender on its way in.

MacPherson levelled matters and while both teams went for the winner in testing conditions, the draw was a fair result. 

Swifts: Richards, J Hanson, Higginson, Priest, Hurrell, Fulloway, Sweeney, Colley (Newman, 83), MacPherson, Perry, Parsons-Smith. Unused subs: Beardsmore, M Hanson, Rogers, Taylor-Randle. 

Attendance: 74.