Albuquerque United blows 4-1 lead, settles for 4-4 draw

New Mexico United blew a 4-1 lead and settled for a 4-4 draw against Birmingham Legion FC on Wednesday night at home. The tie cost United a chance to take over first place in the USL Championship Western Division.

It marked the second straight match in which New Mexico United surrendered a lead and finished level. The contest was a make-up game rescheduled after weather postponed the original Sept. 16 meeting.

Birmingham struck first to go up 1-0 before Zico Bailey equalized in the 16th minute. Nail Reed Stephen put United ahead 2-1 in the 19th minute, and the advantage held through halftime.

Greg Hurst extended the lead to 3-1 in the 64th minute with his ninth goal of the season. Joseph Melto followed in the 66th minute to make it 4-1.

Birmingham answered with three unanswered goals, the third coming in stoppage time off the foot of Ronaldo Dumas. The goal, his second of the match, sealed the 4-4 draw.

New Mexico United remains in second place in the Western Division after picking up one point. United travels to third-place Colorado Springs on Saturday.