LICHFIELD City upset the form book to pick up a point against league leaders Bootle.

Supporters might have been forgiven for fearing the worst when the runaway front-runners in the Northern Premier League West rolled into the Trade Tyre Community Stadium.

But it was basement side City who got off to the fastest start when Kai Cunningham stole possession before John Mills wrong-footed the keeper with a neat finish.

Brandon Bache produced a smart save shortly afterwards to deny Jack McGowan and keep Lichfield's advantage intact.

Ben Hodkinson tried his luck for the league leaders on the half-hour mark, but his free-kick was straight at Bache.

Lichfield were still posing a threat though and saw Bootle stopper Joe Mason deny Jack Edwards and Cody Mullan in the first half.

Declan Daniels had a glorious opportunity to level things up early in the second period, but he could only send his effort over the bar.

The equaliser eventually came midway through the second half when Matty Fenton's back post header found the net.

Bootle almost turned the game around completely on 72 minutes when Hodkinson's strike clipped the crossbar.

Lewis Doyle fired wide as the league leaders looked to try and steal all three points, but Lichfield saw out the game to claim a hard-earned point.

The result wasn't enough to lift them off the bottom, but they are now level on points with 1874 Northwich – although both sides are now nine points adrift of the sides above them in the table.