SOLIHULL Moors defied a sixth-minute red card to draw 2-2 with Forest Green Rovers on the opening day of the season.
Moors had loan signing Darius Lipsiuc sent off for dangerous play just six minutes into the new National League season at Damson Park.
However, Oscar Rutherford’s header put Moors in front at the break only for substitutes Christian Doidge and Nick Haughton to turn the game in Forest Green’s favour.
Solihull substitute James Clarke finished Cameron Green’s knockdown with 15 minutes left to play to ensure Moors came away with a share of the spoils.
The result means Solihull sit 10th in the National League table.
Moors had to play the majority of the game with 10-men after loanee Lipsiuc received a straight red card after he caught Yahaya Bamba in the face with his boot as the two players challenged for a loose ball.
However, Matt Taylor’s side defied the early red card to take the lead on 16 minutes as Rutherford met Brad Nicholson’s cross from the left with a diving header from six-yards out.
Forest Green eventually drew level on 54 minutes when Doidge headed in at the second attempt after Moors goalkeeper Laurie Walker could only parry the striker’s initial effort back into the scorer’s path.
And the visitors completed the turnaround six minutes later as Haughton looped a stunning effort over Walker and into the top right corner from just inside the penalty area.
However, the hosts drew level on 75 minutes when Green nodded Ben Worman’s cross into the path of Clarke who fired a first time effort into the bottom right corner from 12-yards out.
Solihull are next in action against Everton under-21s in the National League Cup on Tuesday, August 12 with kick-off at 7.45pm at Damson Park.
