Barnoldswick Town 1 Maine Road 1

ONCE again the Silentnight Beds Stadium was bathed in bright sunshine for this important Premier Division match. Harry Thompson was still missing so Jack Tinning came into the starting line-up.

The first attempt at goal came after just 17 seconds, Scott Reid having to save a Matthew Morgan shot from just outside the penalty area.

In their first real attack Town took the lead after 15 minutes. Tinning beat Jamie Allen before playing a great ball down the wing to Scott Byrom.

He cut into the penalty area and from almost on the goalline he scored through Maine Road keeper Ryan Livesey’s legs at the near post from the tightest of angles.

The rest of the half saw both teams cancelling each other out with not much action in either penalty area until the last five minutes of the half.

Joel Melia weaved a bit of magic on the Maine Road left, his cross along the six yard box saw Thomas Henderson and James Crorken throwing themselves at the ball but they were unable to supply the finishing touch.

Reid had to make a good save from Maine Road's Jamie Roe just before the break.

Straight after half-time Byrom had to make a good tackle on Rory McCormack to stop him getting a shot away from close in. A minute later it was Matthew Cavanagh’s turn to clear a dangerous cross.

Town were coming under pressure as the visitors looked for and equaliser and Reid had to make another save on the hour from Richard Williams.

Maine Road equalised after 77 minutes when they turned defence into attack with three swift passes. Morgan found himself all on his own as the Town defence went absent as he had time to slot the ball past Reid.

From then on the defences found themselves well on top up to the 87th minute when Town won four corners on the trot. The first three were all played to the near post and cleared . The fourth was played just past the far post where substitute Mark Threlfall headed back into the danger area.

As Melia pulled his foot back to get a shot at goal from only six yards out, Joshua Tinker managed to clear the ball to safety.

The match was dour and the result leaves Town in deep relegation trouble.