BACUP stretched their unbeaten run to five games, but manager Brent Peters felt his side should have been runaway winners.

Bacup boucned back after Skelmersdale's leading goalscorer Simon Rudd fired the home side in front with a superb free kick from the edge of the box two minutes before the break.

The visitors equalised through an excellent David Gray strike on 73 minutes before Paul Thompson put them in front 10 minutes from time.

Rudd equalised for Skelmersdale with a wicked 25-yard drive into the top corner.

Kept unbeaten going, Paul Hodge (ex-Ramsbottom and Rossendale) made debut in goal as Tommy Allen was suspended.

A tight first half, not a lot to choose between both sides. Skem took the lead on 43 minutes after Lee Anderson conceded a free kick on the edge of the box. Leading goalscorer Simon Rudd and keeper had no chance, top corner.

A minute later Hodge pulled off a top drawer save to keep us in the game.

Second half, told lads to be positive improve passing, but pleased with hte way we were playing.

Brought Paul THompson on in the first half for Jason Anthony who was carrying an injury.

Virtually all Bacup, got our act together in the second half. PAssing and movement was something else.

Equalised on 73 minutes.

Throughball halfway from tHompson for David Gray to rin on to, taking it wide of goal and had a lot to do Rob Halcroft (ex-Liverpool) just as keeper made a move to close him down bent it away from the keeper and crept inside the far post. Quality finish.

On 80 minutes took the lead, Gray set Thompson away and in one-on-one with keeper he finished well.

Skelmersdale were trying to change things everything they threw at us we coped quite well defensively.

When they got through Hodge was invaluable made save from Rudd.

SHould have made it 3-1 but Gray made wrong decision. STuart Telfer and Thompson were wide of him after keeper came out to close the angle, should have squared the ball but opted to take it on his own and keeper blocked it.

GRay had another chance but instead of shooting he sprayed it wide and chance went begging.

Scott Gilchrist let Rudd have half-a-yard on first occasion in match 25-yards out hit it well into the roof of the net.

Got to take heart from that result.

Played at BUrscough - to take a point albeit we could and should have had three.

Five game unbeaten run.

SKELMERSDALE ...2

BACUP ... 2.