HEROICS from Tommy Allen helped Bacup secure a valuable point at Mossley.

The Borough goalkeeper pulled out all the stops as Mossley threatened to run riot in the first half.

The home side hit the bar twice inside the opening five minutes before Allen saved well from sharp-shooter Tommy Carroll after he drilled the ball goalwards from the edge of the box.

At the opposite end, Bacup carved out chances from two corners, with Sean Cryer firing just over the bar and new signing Jason Anthony setting up Paul Thompson to have a chance cleared off the line.

Mossley, still smarting from their FA Cup defeat at the hands of rivals Hyde United, again rattled the crossbar in the second half, after former Hyde and Bangor striker Anthony conceded a free kick.

Karl Stanley then won the ball and stormed into the box before hitting a powerful shot, but the Mossley keeper was equal to the task.

The home side broke down the left flank, Cryer was beaten but Mossley were once more denied by the woodwork before Allen made an excellent save from a firm Carroll header.

An entertaining game was marred when Lee Anderson was sent off for a second bookable offence in the last minute.

Bacup manager Brent Peters said: "All in all it was a good point and a hard-fought game.

"Tommy Allen was very alert and made some excellent saves for us.

MOSSLEY ...0

BACUP ...0