Before the game Gate announced that Keeper Ben Fletcher and defender Joey Mullen had resigned for the new season alongside youngster John-Jo Morris who signed after his release from Accrington Stanley.

Gate were missing defender Jacob Davis who looks to be out well into the season after picking up an injury on Tuesday night which ended his night against Fleetwood Town.

Gate almost opened the scoring after just three minutes in bizarre fashion. A back pass from Lancaster defender Glen Steel almost caught out Keeper Sam Ashton but he just reached the ball and cleared for a corner.

The visitors had the chance to open the scoring after 10 minutes when former Blackpool striker Matthew Blinkhorn was fouled on the edge of the box. The freekick was floated into the box but cleared by Gate.

Midfielders James Boyd and Ryan Charnley linked up after 23 minutes to find Ryan Riley on the left, he drove forward at the Lancaster defence before find Riccardo Egidi in the box but the striker was crowded out and the ball cleared.

The opening goal in the game came just before half time. A real team goal started with Sam Staunton-Turner who found the feet or Riccardo Egidi, he laid the ball off to James Boyd who threaded the ball through Lancaster’s defence to find Jake Hingham. The defender who had already opened his account in pre season took the shot first time beating Ashton in goal.

Half Time: Squires Gate 1-0 Lancaster City

The second half saw plenty of changes for the visitors who changed seven of the starting eleven on the hour mark. Those changes included Rob Henry who was returning to the club for the first time.

Gate themselves made changes with Riccardo Egidi and Sam Staunton-Turner being replaced. Egis’s replacement was fouled on the edge of the box after 63 minutes. New Gate signing John-Jo Morris stepped up but his freekick was easily caught by the keeper.

The visitors almost pulled a goal back in the 70th minute. A cross floated over Gate’s defence but luckily the crossbar was in the way and Gate cleared.

Lancaster did equalise 14 minutes before full time. Some over playing from Gate in midfield saw Lancaster win the ball back and punch on Gate who were out of position. The ball was picked up by midfielder Rob Wilson and he fired low to equalise.

After the game Gate Assistant Manager Jed Starkey said: “It’s another great result against 2 teams from Lancaster, one in the first half and one in the second. We played from a great solid organised defensive shape and countered well. I can’t give praise to a single player because every player put a shift in. Players played out of position but you wouldn’t have known that.”

Gate are next in action on Thursday night when they welcome AFC Fylde to The Brian Addison Stadium. kick off 7:30.

Gate: Fletcher, Mullen, Rossall, Ing, Higham, Staunton-Turner, Boyd, Charnley, Morris, Riley, Egidi. Subs: Trialist, Burgess, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist.

Report by Mark Ashmore