They could have made the perfect start in the first minute but, from Matt Calland's low cross, Rory Thickett strayed offside and a tap-in went begging. Midgley missed two clear chances, putting free headers over the bar from set pieces, something the Rams have had difficulty defending for a large part of the season.
A good run and low cross from Thickett almost caused a defender to put the ball into his own net but the Rams went ahead after 25 minutes. Neat play between Jay Janecki and Jake Baker caused confusion in the area and when the ball broke loose, Thickett's composed finished opened the scoring.
Ten minutes from half-time, the visitors drew level, almost inevitably from a set piece. A long free kick and a glancing header brought parity in a mistake-ridden opening 45 minutes.
If anything, the standard of the football in the second half deteriorated. After an early flurry which saw Calland force the keeper into a good save, and an Ash Smee shot from distance not far off target, the game drifted fairly aimlessly. The Rams came close to a second goal after a quick break from their own half saw Baker release Thickett wide right and his shot skimmed the bar.
Todd Reeday was quickly out of his goal to palm away and attempted lob in a one-on-one situation and late in the game he diverted a low shot for a corner. In the last minute Midgley missed a golden opportunity when the player, sliding in, put the ball over the top of an empty net from two yards.
A surprise win for Illingworth St Mary's at Sowerby Utd drops the Rams to third from bottom but it also means Sowerby, with an inferior goal difference, need at least five points from their remaining three games against Shelf FC, Red Star and Greetland to avoid the drop. Illingworth's win has put the feline amongst the feathered vermin as regards the other relegation place.
Rams: Reeday, Risdon, Griffiths, Gent, Fearnley, J. Janecki, Smee, Baker, Dunne, Calland, Thickett.
Rams. 1. Midgley Utd. 1
Thickett
Att: 21