GATE: McLachlan, Jackson, Thomas, Chambers (C), Squires, Welsh, Mekkaoui-Abouzaid, Harries, Forshaw, Ing, Da Silva
SUBS: Stanley, Lever, Edokpayi, Schryburt, Pickles

Squires Gate picked up important point in their race for the top five after a strong performance against the league's second-best side.
 
The visitors from Greater Manchester took the lead early on through Ryan Talbot, who scored his first goal since re-signing for the club in March.
 
However, the hosts levelled the game up in the second half through Dean Ing, who scored his fifth goal in five games.
 
Luke Evans’ side fashioned several chances late on but were unable to find the winning goal in a competitive encounter at the Skiddle Community Stadium.
 
Ben Thomas went close with a free-kick attempt early on, which forced Jordan Latham to tip the effort wide of the post.

A clinical counterattack from the Bloods opened the scoring after just eight minutes, as Nellson Van found space down the left wing to cross the ball into the path of the number nine Talbot, who dispatched past Alex McLachlan.

Squires Gate’s Dean Ing battled away at the top end of the pitch for the hosts and managed to carve out a golden opportunity with 32 minutes played, as he crossed the ball across the face of the goal, but there was no blue shirt to tap home.

The second half continued in a similar manner, as Vani Da Silva burst in behind the Droylsden backline before putting in another dangerous cross, but again no Gate player was there to capitalise.

With 68 minutes played, Jake Forshaw was fouled by goalkeeper Latham in the box whilst bearing down on goal, giving the Blues a golden opportunity to level the game.

Ing dispatched the penalty emphatically to the goalkeepers left to score in three consecutive games and take his tally to 24 for the season.

David Pace’s side’s wounds were deepened as they were reduced to 10 men temporarily, following the sinbin of centre-back Emmanuel Omorogbe immediately after the penalty.

Gate looked to capitalise on the man advantage, as they fashioned multiple goalscoring chances with the game drawing to an end.

Mekkaoui-Abouzaid’s goal-bound effort from close range was blocked superbly by the visitors, who remained resolute despite their inferior number of players on the pitch.

Pressure continued to mount as midfielder Scott Harries also had an effort which was saved by Latham in between the sticks.

Wave after wave of attacks followed for the home side, as a whipped Da Silva free kick was unable to be turned home by neither Edward Schryburt nor Ing, who were both lurking at the back post, but got in each other’s way when seeking to turn home.

In the dying moments of the game, Mekkaoui-Abouzaid had a fabulous free-kick effort, which was tipped onto the post by the Bloods’ number one to keep the scoreline level.

Droylsden remain in second place but now sit four points adrift of top of the table Nelson, with the latter winning away at Thornton Cleveleys on Saturday afternoon.

The point means that Gate remain in the play-off positions, dropping down to fifth place, but still one point above Darwen FC, who sit sixth in the table.

Luke Evans’ squad will make the trip to take on Darwen next Saturday in a game which could prove to be pivotal in deciding who will end the season in the play-offs.