In an entertaining game at the TDP Solicitors Stadium, played in front of an impressive crowd of 450, the Bucks raced to a 2-0 half-time lead and 3-2 lead midway through the second half - but were twice pegged back by a resilient COL side.

The game also saw a number of Joe Doran and Phil Stafford’s squad get some much needed minutes under their belts, as the start of the new season grows ever closer.

With just thirteen minutes on the clock, the Bucks took the lead in stunning style. COL Keeper Stephen Longrigg failed to collect Michael Ordish’s free-kick with the ball falling for Ste Jones who instinctively chipped the ball over stranded Longrigg and into the unguarded net.

One became two fifteen minutes later when Jones finished off a fine team move to collect his second of the night. After a string of passes, Liam Loughlin released Ordish down the left. The winger then drove in a low cross that was flicked on by Ryan Cox at the near post into the path of Jones who had the easiest of finishes from six-yards out.

Jones went close to completing his hat-trick just before the interval, but his goal-bound long range effort was blocked by Franny Foy. While at the other end, Jamie Forbes and Karl Noon both fired over for Simon Burton's side.

The half-time interval saw Joe Doran and Phil Stafford make six changes to their side and it told in the opening stages as COL started the brighter of the two sides, and went close when Matty Williams fizzed a shot wide of Jordan Gidley’s far post – before Chris Lester fired well over.

However, minutes later and COL would find a breakthrough when former Buck Emini Adegbenro turned home John Connolly’s low cross from close-range.

Five minutes later, and Burton’s side were level. Matty Williams twisted and turned on the edge of the Bootle box before curling an unstoppable effort into the far corner of the net.

The Bucks, to their credit, rallied well to being pegged back and retook the lead midway through the second half. Jack Leamey’s cross looped over Alan Weston in the COL goal presenting Daniel O’Connor with a simple finish for his second in as many games.

But COL soon levelled again, this time from the penalty spot. Michael Williams was judged to have brought down Connolly inside the Bootle box with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Connolly picked himself up and coolly converted from 12-yards to leave it honours even in the battle between landlords and tenants.