Battling Barnoldswick suffered their second defeat in three days.

Town welcomed back keeper Billy Carrington and Shaun Clough with Neil Chapman on the bench having returned from holiday.

Town started the better of the two teams.

Paul Barrett chased a back pass from a Ramsbottom defender and beat keeper Martin Campbell to the ball near the touchline.

Campbell pulled the ball back across the six-yard area but there was no one to take advantage.

Robert Grimes then thundered a shot just wide.

Town should have taken the lead after 19 minutes but Barrett shot straight at the keeper.

Michael Morrison then curled as free kick straight at Carrington.

Ramsbottom weathered the spell of pressure and took the lead after 41 minutes when a cross down the Town right rebounded off Carrington's feet to Joe Pilkington who had the easiest of tasks in slipping the ball into an empty net.

Town went straight down to the Ramsbottom end a minute later and a deep cross found the head of Barrett who directed his header back across goal, unfortunately for Town it hit the far post and rebounded into the arms of Campbell.

The second half belonged to Ramsbottom who put a lot of pressure on the Town defence.

Town’s next game is at home to Silsden on Tuesday night (7.30pm).

Barnoldswick Town: Carrington, Blades, Clough, L Jordan, Clarke (Capt), Williams, S Jordan, Smith, Grimes, Caton. Subs:- Britton, Craig, Airdrie (Barrett 84mins), Chapman (Caton 77mins), Shelmerdine (L Jordan 70mins).

Barnoldswick Town 1 Congleton Town 2

For this opening game Town were without Shaun Clough, Neil Chapman and Liam Garbutt through holidays and injuries.

Congleton took the lead in the 23rd minute when substitute Shane Reaney netted with a fierce shot from the corner of the penalty area.

Town equalised in controversial circumstances. They won a corner after 72 minutes which was clearly deflected off Robert Grimes and should have been a goal kick.

The ball was delivered to the far post and half cleared towards the touchline.

Chasing the ball, skipper Russell Clarke was impeded and a penalty given.

Paul Barrett stepped up and easily scored to put Town back on level terms.

Three minutes later, an innocuous cross to the far post eluded the Town defence and danger man Matthew Haddrell headed down and inside the post.

Robbie Smith had a goal disallowed in the closing minutes as Town tried to save the game.

Manager Ben Hall said: “This was a very proud day for us, to take this group of lads, some from Sunday football to the Vodkat Premier League in 15 months, shows what they have achieved.”

Barnoldswick Town: Brennan, Blades, Airdrie, L Jordan (Skelmerdine 82min ), Clarke (Capt), Williams, S Jordan , Smith, Grimes, Barrett, Caton (Craig 61min). Subs: (not used): Britton, Bradshaw.