Lancaster City 1 - 1 Padiham

Lancaster City FC now sit two points off the last play-off place and reside in 7th on goal difference behind Farsley FC with just two games of the season remaining. The Dolly Blues received good support from the home crowd at The Giant Axe but failed to capitalise on good spells of play and were made to settle for a frustrating draw.

The game started brightly with both teams creating early chances as neither team were able to settle and take control. The quick start to the game heralded an early goal for Padiham in the 9th minute as Lee Ashcroft broke away from his marker and glanced a header, guiding the cross towards Hale's far post leaving the keeper stranded as the ball found the net.

Lancaster looked to get back into the game straight away with Ryan Winder spreading the ball around nicely and stretching the Padiham defence with crosses into dangerous areas for the likes of Marshall to attack from set pieces.

The homes side's pressure paid off in the 16th minute when good play around the Padiham box ended with Dodgson's clever back-heel into the path of Ryan Elderton who took the ball in his stride, striking it first time left-footed high into the Padiham goal leaving the keeper helpless.

The special goal from Elderton spurred the Lancaster players on and they looked destined to score again before the half hour mark. Almost straight from the restart Lancaster won the ball back and continued their relentless pressure on the away side culminating in Kilifin beating the Padiham keeper to a bouncing ball in the area only to see his lobbed effort rebound off the post to safety.

As the first half came to a close Lancaster's intensity dropped off as the game grew scrappy and some players began to tire. Winder forced a good save from Davis in the Padiham goal and Marshall went close with a header from a corner, but the half ended with the sides level.

The second half started much slower than the first but The Dolly Blues asserted their dominance and gave Padiham few chances to break in on Hale's goal. Although they enjoyed the majority of possession it was not until around the sixty minute mark when Lancaster got their golden opportunity to take all three points. Kilifin broke into the Padiham box and was brought down by a clumsy challenge from Padiham's Tom Murphy leaving the referee little option but to point to the spot.

Dodgson stepped up to take the vital spot kick but even though the keeper went the wrong way it did not matter as the number 10 blasted the ball over the bar. This set the tone for the rest of the match for the home side who from then on struggled to create any more clear cut chances.

The closest they came to a win came in the dying minutes, when second half substitute Gavin Clark broke free down the left wing before firing his left footed shot across the goal mouth but disappointingly beyond the far post.

All in all it was a frustrating afternoon for Peacock and his men who now need to win their remaining two games and hope that teams above them drop points. Starting with Kendal Town away on Monday 21st and then Curzon Ashton at home on the final day of the season, The Dolly Blues need to find form in front of goal and turn their possession into chances if they have any hope of reaching the promotion lottery that is the play-offs.

Lancaster City: Hale 7, Henry 5, Elderton 7, Davis 6, Marshall 5, Hunter 6, Winder 8, Akrigg 6, Wearing 7, Dodgson 6, Kilifin 6.

Subs: Hudson 5, Clark 6
Subs not used: Walker, Taylor, Donlon

Star Man: Ryan Winder – Creative and looking to change up the play as ever, Winder was at the heart of Lancaster’s fluid moves.