Report: Ukraine 2-2 England partially-sighted

England began their IBSA Partially-Sighted Futsal World Championship campaign with a well-earned point after a 2-2 draw against Ukraine.

The Para Lions equalised through Adam Lione with just two seconds left on the clock to secure a deserved result against their old rivals in a closely-fought game with both teams really testing each other throughout.

It was England who took the lead midway through the first half when Andy Cahill won the ball in his own half before skilfully evading two players and picking out Liam Spinks on the right.

While Cahill continued his run into the box, Spinks drove a low, diagonal cross into the area which was prodded home by a Ukraine defender before Cahill would've inevitably scored at the far post.

Unfortunately, Ukraine hit back strongly to equalise with a well-worked goal as Robert Tremba advanced forward from the right and traded passes before scoring from close range eight minutes before half time.

And they went in at the break with a 2-1 lead, after Vadim Shvets thumped home a powerful shot following a slick move from back to front with five minutes of the half remaining.

The second half was an exciting affair as both teams battled it out in a game of cat and mouse.

As the clock ran down, it was end-to-end stuff as England pushed for an equaliser while also being wary of Ukraine's threat, which was illustrated when they came within inches of a third when a shot bounced down off the bar and off the line with eight minutes to go.

After that let-off, Duncan Gilchrist's team had Ukraine on the back foot for the final minutes and with the switch to a fly-keeper in Spinks, the Para Lions had Ukraine penned in and clinging onto their lead.

Lione had already been denied by Ukraine 'keeper Oleksandr Hertmanov in the dying stages, but made no mistake with two seconds left when Spinks' cross into the box led to a scramble before Lione smashed home from close range to level things up.

England will now turn their attention to their next match against Japan on Tuesday 11 November (12pm GMT)

England: 1 Jack Walsh, 2 Paul McHugh, 4 Harry Gibbons, 6 Andy Cahill, 7 John McDougall, 8 Jacob Heasman, 9 Douglas Pratt, 10 Adam Lione, 11 Liam Spinks, 12 Bailey Pack, 13 Myles Chadwick, 14 Lucas McClay

Head coach: Duncan Gilchrist