17 year old Longridge lad, and former ballboy, Jack Hamilton saw his dream come true after 70 minutes when Manager Lee Ashcroft 'gave him the nod' and he came on in place of Chris Ward to become the second youngest player in the Club's history.

Town's preparations were disrupted as Club Captain George Melling failed to make it to the ground, leaving Assistant Manager Keiran Walmsley to come out of retirement at Centre Half.

Longridge started the game in a positive fashion, creating chances that Ward and Dee Edmonds were unlucky to see fly just off target. Brad Wilks then saw his long range free kick sail over the bar, before Burscough settled and began to attack the Town defence.

After 21 minutes a Wilks header back to Lee Dovey fell well short and, as Dovey advanced, he collided with the Home forward. Penalty to Burscough, and no real arguments.

Dovey dived low to his left to keep out a well struck penalty, and Town had had a wake up call...or had they?

Just 3 minutes later Burscough produced the best move of the match, with a lovely ball from midfield cutting the Town defence apart. This time Dovey had no chance as Jack Golding rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. Not for the first time this season, Town had conceded the first goal in a game having been on top. 1-0 Burscough.

It was a bitty game with neither side gettig into any rythym, not helped by the fact that the ball seemed to be constantly out of play, and half time came with no further chances of note for either side. Half Time 1-0.

Ashey shuffled the pack during the break moving Edmonds more central with Stammers coming in from the left to support him, and the move paid dividends within just 5 minutes of the half.

Edmonds did well to flick on a header to Stammers (pictured), and the skilful winger 'turned on a tanner' to power a left footed shot into the Home goal, a brilliant finish. 1-1 and game on.

Town were in the ascendancy now and both Stammers and Murphy saw shots saved by the Home keeper.

Burscough received a straight red card on 60 minutes as their left back was given his marching orders having kicked out at Brad Wilks, so Town now had a man advantage and the win was surely there for the taking.

70 minutes saw the moment that 17 year old Jack Hamilton, and the travelling support, had been waiting for as the youngster replaced Chris Ward on the right flank to make his 1st Team Debut. After some excellent performances for the Reserve side, Hamilton had earned his chance and looked keen to take it as he sprinted on to loud applause.

Possession was all with Longridge now but nothing would drop, Ben Ashcroft hit the bar, a goalbound Edmonds header hit Stammers, and Captain Alex Murphy fired just over with a well struck shot.

Hamilton put several great crosses into the box as Town pushed forward and, with 2 minutes added time played, a ball forward was flicked on by Edmonds to the onrushing Murphy. The Town skipper seemed certain to score but his side footed volley clipped the bar on its way off target, and it became clear that it was just going to be 'one of those days'.

The Referee blew for time to end a strange game, where i doubt the ball was in play for much more than half the 90 minutes, and Burscough had hung on for a point. 1-1.

After the game Manager Lee Ashcroft was eager to take the positives from the day, ''Another frustrating day really, we've had enough chances to win it, but were poor in the first half and it could've been worse if Lee hadnt saved the penalty. However, i was delighted to be able to bring Jack on, he's been doing well for the Reserves and i'd no qualms about putting him out there. It was great to have 'Murph' back as well, I thought Danny Wilkinson was class again so, considering we had 7 regulars missing, it wasn't a disaster.''

'' Days like today show the benefit of having a Reserve side, i've also had Ryan Fletcher who's just 18 on the bench today, and we've had Henry (Harrison) involved a couple of times this season as well. It's important that youngsters coming to the Club, particularly local lads, see it as an opportunity to learn, experience good coaching and realise that if they work hard, they will get their opportunity. ''

''The Club is looking to progress on the pitch, and off it, and local lads are always looked on favourably by the supporters in particular, as Joe Melling has shown over the years and he's still going strong!.''

Next Saturday sees Town scheduled to meet Whitehaven at The MRG, weather permitting, with a 3pm Kick Off sheduled.