BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Neco Brett scored in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time from the penalty spot to earn Birmingham Legion FC a 2-2 draw with Memphis 901 FC on Saturday night at BBVA Field, adding to the club’s lead at the top of Group G in the Championship.

With time winding down in second-half stoppage time, Memphis appeared it had done enough to earn an important three points for its playoff hopes on the road. That idea was dashed deep in stoppage time, however, as a long ball forward was flicked on in the direction of Brett as he broke into the penalty area.

The Jamaican was brought down just inside the box by Memphis’ Liam Doyle, resulting in a penalty kick for the hosts that Brett fired into the bottom-left corner of the net to level the game, extending Birmingham’s undefeated streak to five games.

Aiming to extend their lead at the top of Group G, Legion FC had almost struck in the third minute when it was awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal. Bruno Lapa curled a shot over the defensive wall, but Memphis goalkeeper Jimmy Hague got across to punch the ball over the crossbar and keep the gave level.

Lapa struck in the 12th minute, however, as Brett created space on the left side of the penalty area and cut back a cross to an unmarked Lapa eight yards from goal. The former USL League Two standout had time to control and the fired his shot into the to-right corner of the net.

Memphis pulled level six minutes later as a corner kick from the left by Raul Gonzalez was redirected on goal at the near post by Michael Reed. Legion FC goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel reacted quickly to make the initial save, but Rafa Mentzingen was ideally placed to tuck home the rebound inside the six-yard area.

The visitors then struck again just before the half-hour mark as Cal Jennings broke forward on a counterattack after winning a battle for possession with Birmingham’s Alex Crognale and was then brought down just inside the penalty area by Bolu Akinyode. Keanu Marsh-Brown stepped up to the spot and converted low into the left corner to put 901 FC ahead.

Legion FC had a big chance to level in first-half stoppage time when a good piece of build-up play delivered the ball to Brett in the right side of the penalty area. The Jamaican’s low cross into the six-yard area found Brian Wright, but he mistimed his finish to send the ball back to Brett, who then shot into the side-netting to leave Memphis on top at the break.

Both teams had chances early in the second half as Brett was squeezed out by Doyle after initially finding space for a shot four minutes after the break. Two minutes later a good pass by Mentzingen slid Jennings in behind the defense for Memphis, but Van Oekel made a good save before Mikey Lopez cleared any rebound opportunity.

Chances proved few as the second half went on as Legion FC tried to find a way back into the game. But moments before the final whistle a final opportunity presented itself to the hosts and they gladly accepted to grab a late point on their home turf.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Neco Brett, Birmingham Legion FC – Brett provided the assist on Bruno Lapa’s goal, kept his cool from the spot in second-half stoppage time and finished with four shots and three key passes overall on the night.