GATE: McLachlan, Lever, Thomas, Schryburt, Squires, Welsh, Mekkaoui-Abouzaid, Harries (C), Arrowsmith, Ing, Da Silva
SUBS: Jackson, Riley, Edokpayi, Lynch, Forshaw

A point against Bacup Borough was enough for 10-man Squires Gate to cement themselves in the play-offs at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

A nervous wait after the full-time whistle was met with jubilant celebrations after Darwen’s draw against Droylsden meant that Gate would remain in fifth place by one point.

An early Jack Arrowsmith goal for the hosts was cancelled out by substitute Paul Sholabi’s first touch of the game in the second half.

Both sides ended the game with just 10 players on the pitch, after the referee sent off goalscorer Arrowsmith and Bacup Borough’s Kyle Siddle.

Luke Evans’s side came flying out of the blocks as the game got underway, as they opened the scoring after just five minutes played.

Ing surged down the left wing before his drilled cross found Arrowsmith in space in the middle, with the number nine able to dispatch his first goal for the club since signing from Longridge Town.

Bacup Borough looked to respond to the early setback through Kyle Siddle, who was able to pick up a loose ball and take it around goalkeeper Alex McLachlan, but his effort trickled wide.

Intricate play from the Borough’s Conor Morris found Oliver Hodgson in space in the box, but McLachlan was on hand to deny an equaliser from close range with a fine save.
Just minutes later, the visitors were reduced to 10 men, with Morris being sent to the sin bin by the referee.

Gate looked to double their advantage from a set piece with the first half ending; however, Ing’s header looped over the bar.

With the Blues leading 1-0 as the second half got underway, the dynamic of the game shifted when the referee went to his back pocket with half an hour left to play.

Arrowsmith was sent off after his boot was deemed to have caught the face of an opposition player, moments after he was fouled and was pulled to the floor.

Borough were forced to play with reduced numbers as well, with the referee sending Jacob May and Siddle to the sin bin temporarily.

With the whole season resting on the last moments of the games, the tackles continued to fly in as both sides battled to secure their spot in the play-offs.

The visitors turned to the bench late on, with Sholabi equalising late on with a diving header at the back post, just minutes after coming onto the pitch.

The visitors were also reduced to 10 men after Siddle received his second yellow card of the game.

McLachlan had to be on high alert in the Gate goal as the game came to an end with the goalkeeper helping to preserve a precious point through a series of saves.

As the game ended 1-1, fans of the Blackpool-based side waited nervously for the Droylsden vs Darwen full time result to be announced on social media.

With Darwen dropping points, fans and players alike were able to celebrate the Squires Gate campaign ending in a position in the top five.

The result marks an incredible turnaround for the club and a season of progress, with Gate having been positioned in the relegation zone in November.

If promotion can be achieved through the play-offs, Squires Gate will be the first ever club to bounce straight back up to the NWCFL Premier Division following relegation.

Evans’ squad will now face Droylsden in an away encounter on April 25, as they look to book their place in the play-off final.