Nelson picked up their first point of the season yesterday with a 2-2 draw away at New Mills. Goals from Alex Mullin and Anthony McGloughlin nearly proved enough to earn the Blues a fantastic away victory however a later equaliser denied the Admirals all 3 points.

In the wake of first team manager Alex Norwood stepping down and with the new management team of Paul Fildes and Chris Price due to take charge from Monday's game at home to Bacup Borough, Club Chief Executive Adam Keizer stepped into the dugout as the Blues faced a tough test against a New Mills side who also suffered relegation from the NWCFL Premier Division last season.

Nelson made a number of changes to the side that lost 4-0 at home to Carlisle City with new signing Richard Cowan, signed late Friday night, returning to the Admirals to partner Cameron Lancaster at the heart of the defence .Former Nelson Youth Team Goalkeeper Harry Wissett made his senior debut in the absence of first team keeper Jack Little and current youth team keeper Jordan Harding both unavailable, Callum O'Niell who had featured in the first three games of the season having now left the club.

Charlie Lloyd was moved to rightback with Billy Grogan at left back, a midfield four of Mullin, Knox, McGloughlin and Elliott supported a front two of Brad Kay and Joe Rodriguez. The game started as an even affair and both teams worked hard to put their opponents on the back foot. Nelson had clearly set themselves up to be hard to beat while New Mills attacked the flanks and looked to crossing the ball to create chances at goal. Mullin and Grogan combined well down the left for the Blues while Knox and McGloughlin battled for every ball in the middle of the park.

New Mills had the better of the chances early in the half, a number of headers flashed wide as well as a goal ruled out for offside as the hosts looked to open the deadlock. New signing Richard Cowan showed why the Blues had brought him back to the club, the powerful defender added strength and experience the Nelson defence. The Admirals came close after 20 minutes when a good move down the right saw Rodriguez and Elliott combine before the youngster whipped a dangerous ball across the six yard box, Alex Mullin racing to the back post looked likely to score but the left winger was a whisker away from getting a foot to the ball. Both teams competed well in a what was proving a feisty encounter and on the 36th minute the opening goal finally came, New Mills taking the lead after a shot was parried by Wissett before Callum Scott pounced to put the hosts a goal up.

The Admirals however hit back immediately, within a minute the score was back level. Connor Elliott crossed from the right hanging the ball up at the back post for Alex Mullin who out jumped his marker to expertly head the ball back across goal into the bottom corner, the former Burnley Youth star's 2nd goal of the season. Nelson almost made it two when a clever freekick by Brad Knox saw the ball chipped in behind the Millers defence for Rodriguez to fire for goal from close distance however the Blues striker failed to open his account for his new club. Rodriguez worked tirelessly for his side while Kay used his strength and size to good effect at times.

Nelson showed good determination and work ethic to keep New Mills at bay as the half time whistle came to signal the end of a good first half for the Blues and a close fought game.

Half Time - New Mills 1-1 Nelson

The second half continued in the same fashion as both teams gave it their all. Nelson came close when Rodriguez chased down the hosts Keeper blocking his clearance before the ball flew into the air, Rodriguez controlled the ball in the box however his chance was crowded out before McGloughlin fired a volley high and wide from the edge of the box. McGloughlin added bite to the middle of the park for the Blues, the energetic midfeilder breaking from deep on a number of occasions to attack the Millers box. The game had seen a number moments where players had come together in potential flash points which came to a head when Brad Kay faced off with a number of New Mills defenders before two players for the hosts fell to the floor claiming headbuts from Kay in rather bizarre fashion. Thankfully the referee was having none of their antics and no card was shown to Kay who was clearly frustrating New Mills defenders.

Nelson by this point were sticking to the game plan , defending hard and looking to break with pace, Connor Elliott going through 1 v 1 but his shot was somehow save by the Goalkeeper who flicked Elliotts shot over the bar with his foot. Both sides were creating chances however on the 83rd minute Nelson took the lead, Elliott again racing in behind but this time the pacy youngsters squared the ball rather than shooting where Anthony McGloughlin had burst into the box from deep to fire the ball into the net for his first goal for the Admirals. The Blues now had the lead with the hosts throwing everything at them in order find a route to goal, crosses and corners raining down on the Nelson box. On the 87th minute it was 2-2 , Millers substitue Dennis Sherriff scoring with his first touch when a cross drifted to the back post, Sherriffs header beating Wissett in the Blues goal to put the score all level again.

The game was fought to the very last whistle which signalled a point a piece for both sides in a well competed match, the Admirals picking up their first point of the season and putting in a solid performance ahead of the new management taking over on Monday.

Full Time - New Mills 2-2 Nelson

Nelson Starting Line Up - Wissett, Lloyd, Grogan, Lancaster, Cowan, Knox, McGloughlin, Elliott, Kay, Rodriguez

Substitutes Used - Burrows, Hutchison

Goalscorers - Mullin (36) McGloughlin (83)

Next Up - Nelson face Bacup Borough at home in the league this Monday 28th August in a 3pm Kick Off