East Lancashire League Division Two: Longshaw 4 Barnoldswick Town 2

TOWN were unable to stop high-flying Longshaw's fantastic start to the season but two late goals was deserved reward for a battling display.

The hosts had won all of their first four games, scoring an incredible 40 goals in the process, so the challenge was clear at the outset.

The task was not made any easier when Lewis McKane put the ball past his own keeper after four minutes in attempting to clear a menacing cross into the six-yard box.

And when a second goal was scored directly from a free-kick by Longshaw after 16 minutes, things were looking ominous.

The visitors were not out of the contest though and held their own for the rest of the first half.

The second period must have come as a surprise to Longshaw as young Barlick threw everything at them in the opening exchanges.

Bailey Coates broke clear of the home defence after 52 minutes but rolled the ball agonisingly wide of the far post.

The outcome could have been different if Town had scored the goal they richly deserved. But it was not to be and, despite 25 minutes of dominance, they could not breach the home defence.

Longshaw sealed the points with two goals in five minutes to lead 4-0 with a quarter of an hour to go.

The scoreline was harsh on Town but two superb and almost identical finishes by Coates in the 90th and 91st minutes showed their fighting spirit and also put a much fairer slant on the final score.

Credit must go to both teams, who put on an excellent spectacle.

Barnoldswick Town's home game with 1874 Northwich in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The team are due back in action tonight at home to Tadcaster Albion in the West Riding County Cup first round (7.45pm).