(NASL 2015 Spring) Carolina Railhawks 2v2 New York Cosmos

Saturday 16th May 2015
WakeMed Soccer Park, North Carolina   Attendance -  7,217

Cosmos needed 2 stoppage time goals to maintain their unbeaten run and end their run of 3 defeats at WakeMed against the Carolina Railhawks.

Cosmos made a bright start but soon fell behind after a Hlavaty goal on 7mins. Shipalane has been a thorn in the side of the Cosmos in precious encounters and he was the architect of the goal. Not for the first time Shipalane skinned Ayoze too easily and his cut back was converted for the opening goal. There was further bad news as Senna had to be substituted due to a hamstring injury, being replaced by Adam Moffat.

But the Cosmos continued to press forward and the Railhawks keeper made a save from Fernandes on 12mins following a corner kick. But despite having the lions share of possession the Cosmos could not find a final ball to create a clear opportunity on goal, with the Railhawks defence standing firm.

The pattern continued in the 2nd half with Cosmos struggling to get past a resolute RailHawks side. Moffat thought he had a clear chance after good work from Lucky, but as he pulled the trigger a Railhawks player blocked the effort. From the resulting corner Restepo's set piece caused panic, but the Keeper dived on the ball to avert the danger.

There had been little from Carolina as an attacking force, but Wagner had an opportunity to double the lead as a left wing cross fell invitingly to him, but his shot was off target. Moments later and Restrepo came as close as the Cosmos had come to scoring when his curling effort went narrowly over the bar.

Shipalane had been quiet since setting up the goal, but he struck a  goal in the 76th minute which threatened the unbeaten run of the visitors. Shipalane was afforded too much space on the edge of the area and curled a great shot round the defenders and into the net.

Cosmos immediately went in search of a response and a long run by Restrepo set up Fernandes, but his shot was blocked by a RailHawks defender. As the game entered the final few minutes the away side were launching wave after wave of attacks, but at the other end the Railhawks could have made it 3v0 had Maurer not come to the rescue with a great stop with 4mins remaining.

As the game moved into stoppage time the Cosmos finally made the breakthrough. Restrepo's cross was inadvertently converted by RailHawks defender after the ball was deflected onto him by Keeper Gilstrap. Gilstrap had to come to his sides rescue 4mins into stoppage time after another defensive mix up as he scrambled the ball away from rolling into the RailHawks net.

But the Cosmos were not finished yet and n the 7th minute of stoppage time they got an equaliser with virtually the last kick of the game. A free kick was cleared to the edge of the box and Flores fired through a crowded box and into the net to rescue an unlikely point.