Celtic’s second visit to the DCBL stadium in Widnes played out against City of Liverpool in much the same way the game against Widnes did. Despite taking the lead from a penalty, a late goal earned the home side a share of the points.

Rio Clegg tried a distance effort, spotting Calvin Hare out of position, but Hare collected, whilst at the other end, Jawad Jerbin really should have opened the scoring when he latched onto Danny Mitchley’s pullback, but scuffed his shot into Luke Hewitson’s waiting grasp. Celtic played possession in the first half, resulting in few chances for either side, having to wait until before the interval for a real chance for either side, Mitchley’s distance effort that was not far away, whilst Obua Mugalula held off Michael Simpson to cut inside and flash a shot past the post.

A cracking stop from Hewitson, down to his right, denied Max Allen’s effort, but again, he had to shoot from a distance with the Celtic defensive line containing Liverpool comfortably. Just past the hour mark, Celtic earned a penalty as Darius Osei tried to rob Allen in the Liverpool box, stepping between the ball and the man as Allen went to kick the ball, kicking Osei instead. Max Leonard converted the penalty. With twenty-five minutes still on the clock, Liverpool hunted for an equaliser, but got precious little shooting opportunities. Kenny Strickland fired a free kick only just over the bar, but that was it. At the other end, Aaron Dwyer lacked the power in his turned in shot from Pawel Zuk’s cross, and Osei latched onto a clever flick from Dwyer, but his header cleared the bar.

Deep into stoppage time, dallying in the middle of the park allowed Kyle Schorah to rob the ball and launch a thunderous effort towards the top corner. A flying one handed save from Hewitson kept Celtic in the lead. From the resulting corner, everybody bar Calvin Hare piled into the Celtic six-yard box. Despite three defenders on the line, the ball ricocheted around legs, with Jack Hont putting it across the face and Josh Quarless turning it into the narrowest of gaps on the goal line to equalise. Seconds later, and the game ended. Closing down a game is something the current crop of Celtic players need to master.