Blackpool Mecs 1 Nelson 1

AN under-strength Nelson side battled for a point at Blackpool Mechanics in the NWCL Second Division.

Already missing several key players, the Blues lost Craig Bradshaw after he was involved in a car accident, but stand-in striker Martin Fletcher seized the opportunity to score his first league goal for the club.

Mechanics took the lead after 17 minutes when Danny Whittaker tried to play his way out of trouble and was robbed of the ball by Wayne Gardiner, who forced his shot past the exposed Billy Carrington in the Nelson goal.

Nelson enjoyed a good attacking spell just before half-time and grabbed an equaliser after 43 minutes when Paul Barrett beat his marker with some clever footwork and crossed the ball from the byeline to the far post, where Martin Fletcher reacted quickest to drive in a low shot from six yards out.

As the end to end action continued in the second half, Carrington made some vital stops in one on one confrontations, but John Harrison almost got the winner for Nelson on 80 minutes when his close range shot was deflected wide of goal off the keeper's body.

DARWEN lost 1-0 at Daisy Hill after failing to come back from Cain's goal in the first minute of the second half.