Debuting Darr Saves Skem

Ramsbottom United 1 Skelmersdale United 1

Skelmersdale United claimed their first point of 2018 with a last-gasp leveller to draw 1-1 at Ramsbottom United. Rammy struck just before half-time through the returning Lee Gaskell before Jordan Darr struck in added time for Skem.

After the heavy defeat against Prescot Cables, Dave Powell welcomed back experienced defender Phil Mooney in place of the injured Callum Jones while Johnathan Crane returned from injury on the bench alongside new signings George Withe and Jordan Darr (Dual-reg with Chorley).

The hosts had the first chance on goal as Greg Daniels swept in a free-kick which Callum Roberts claimed comfortably. Former Skem defender Alex Meaney swept a shot over the bar for Rammy before Tom Molyneux did the same at the other end minutes later. Molyneux tried his luck again with a shot on the run which 'keeper Charlie Albinson parried before claiming at the second attempt. Jerome Wright tested Roberts with a clipped free-kick which drew a low save before Lee Gaskell's acrobatic effort from a corner cannoned back off the crossbar.

Gaskell came close again minutes later as he tapped past the post after a clever run from Sam Heathcote before sweeping through the Skem defence to draw a strong stop from Roberts. He continued to be the main threat for the hosts, going on to head over from a Meaney cross. Rammy had a great chance to open the scoring minutes later as Jerome Wright collected a looped pass to find himself one-on-one with Roberts who advanced from goal to deny the chance of a shot. The deadlock was broken just before half-time as Wright's run and cross found Gaskell who tapped past Roberts for 1-0.

The first real chance of the second half saw a run across the box from Wright result in a shot which sailed narrowly past the post. A clipped ball from Mike Roddy caused chaos for the home defence with substitutes Jordan Darr and George Withe both seeing chances blocked, the former of which saw 'keeper Albinson suffer an injury with midfielder Dean Stott coming on in his place. Rammy went close to extending their lead with a shot from the far side creeping past the post and later on, a clever turn from Molyneux saw him pick out Withe who forced a low save from Stott. The deputising 'keeper was called into action again as he blocked a shot from Harry Blackburn who had latched on to a long pass from Josh Wardle.

The lengthy delay after Albinson's injury saw five minutes of added time which saw Tom Mitchell send a shot past the post before Rammy were denied the win late on. A clearance from Jack Fleming's corner saw Roddy cause a defensive scramble for the hosts, which saw Phil Mooney head across goal into the path of Darr who tapped in at the far post for 1-1. The final whistle came a few minutes later with Skem happy to end their losing run while beginning their 2018 travels with a point.

Ramsbottom United - Albinson (Stott 78), Heathcote, Brownhill, Meaney, Thompson (c), Mohammed, Dean, Rother (Moran 62), Gaskell (Zama 75), Daniels, Wright. Subs not used - Williams, Kay.

Skelmersdale United - Roberts, Mooney, Fleming, Roddy (c), Mitchell, Wardle, Randell (Withe 58), Molyneux, Burey, Mahoney (Blackburn 75), Redmayne (Darr 71). Subs not used - Hill, Crane.

Referee - G.Myers
Att- 203