CRADLEY Town came back from the dead to claim a 2-2 draw at Hereford Lads Club.

But the match contained plenty of controversy especially when Cradley had skipper Josh McKenzie sent off late in the game for ruffling an opponents hair.

Cradley had gone 2-0 down early in the second half to a couple of Kalum Wildig goals and appeared to be heading for defeat when Geoff Hill clawed a goal back on 89 minutes.

McKenzie was dismissed in the celebrations and that was then followed by a fracas between the opposing dug-outs that spilt onto the pitch.

When play resumed, Joseph Drake-Cervantes netted from the resulting free kick with a looping header to salvage a point.

Cradley boss Andy Wyton branded McKenzie's dismissal as a complete joke and said: "Even Hereford's centre half protested and questioned the decision."

"The referee seemed to think Josh had put his hand in the player's face when he'd only put his hand on his head as a bit of banter.

"It wasn't even a yellow card offence.

"I've been reported myself for encroaching on the field up play, but I only went on to split people up in the melee that followed. It was only a bit of shoving and pushing.

"I've no problem with Hereford. We all went for a drink with them afterwards and their hospitality was great.

"We should have been five goals up in the first half but Hereford's goalkeeper kept his side in the game.

"But we keep giving away silly goals and leaving ourselves with a mountain to climb. It something that has been happening too often.

"To be honest, the game was fizzling out when Geoff Hill got us back into contention from a Lee Smith cross".

Cradley entertain Shropshire side Ellesmere Rangers this Saturday with Wyton desperately eager to add another striker to his squad in time to play.