Matty forces replay

Local derbys between the sides always seem to throw up plenty of talking points and this was no exception with the first coming after nine minutes when Paul Barrett raced clear for Nelson and was felled by a tackle from behind inside the Harwood penalty area. The referee waved aside Nelson's claims for a penalty.

The Blues had the edge in midfield, but the Harwood defence was well organised and the visitors were quick to counter attack at every opportunity. And it was a quick break which caught out the Nelson defence after 37 minutes when a through ball released Paul Masher who shot past the advancing keeper to give Harwood the lead.

Nelson struck back within four minutes when Harwood keeper Bobby Harris chose to punch away Steve Whittaker's free kick and Andy Haworth collected the ball on the edge of the penalty area before blasting home the equaliser into the roof of the net.

With the scores level at half time it was Nelson who made the better start after the break and almost took the lead on 52 minutes when Craig Bradshaw's header across the face of the goal was headed against the post by a desperate Harwood defender as he tried to clear the danger.

However, the visitors stunned Nelson with a goal out of the blue when Matt Derbyshire lashed in an unstoppable shot on the turn after 61 minutes to put Harwood 2-1 ahead.

The pattern of the game continued with the Blues on top and desperately seeking another equaliser. Then, in the dying minutes after Steve Whittaker had rattled the Harwood post with a 25-yard free kick, Andy Haworth levelled the scores with a shot through a crowded penalty area after 86 minutes.

In the first period of extra time Bobby Harris could only block Paul Barrett's shot and Steve Whittaker followed up to give Nelson the lead at 3-2 after 102 minutes.

NELSON 3 GREAT HARWOOD 3