North West Counties Division One

Glossop North End...1

Ramsbottom United...1

A 75th minute goal from Glyn Barker earned Ramsbottom United a point in an, as expected, hard-fought encounter at Surrey Street.

After losing at Squires Gate, Ramsbottom were looking to get back to winning ways and ease their way out of the relegation zone.

The game started at a frantic pace with both teams trying to carve out an opening. Ramsbottom were the first to do so when a long through ball from Gareth Gardner found Mark Fitton wide on the left. He pulled the ball back for Barker whose first time effort cleared the crossbar.

Glossop had a lucky escape in the 14th minute when Chris Clarke floated in a free-kick and Sherlock deflected the ball just over his own bar.

The Rams now started to take control of the game and Barker wasted a good chance when clean through on goal, blasting his effort high and wide of the mark from 18 yards out.

Doni Clarke shot wide after a great run from midfield and Ramsbottom almost paid the price for those missed chances in the 40th minute when a quick break out of defence by Glossop found Paul Dean on his own just inside the penalty area, but he miscued his shot with the goal at his mercy.

The second half started at the same frantic pace and Glossop almost opened the scoring when a shot from Hamilton caught Rams' keeper Simon Marsh off guard and he just managed to fumble the ball round a post.

In the 55th minute a long punt upfield by Marsh was headed on by Barker into the path of Fitton. He went past full back Nibloe, but Glossop keeper Williams dived low to his right to deny Fitton.

Ramsbottom's pressure finally paid off in the 75th minute when Barker shot home past Williams after Fitton set up the chance.

The goal fired Glossop up and Ramsbottom had to defend stoutly to keep the home side out.

Glossop's pressure looked to have paid off in the 78th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Ged Walsh stopped a great run by Nick Wild illegally.

Bovis stepped up to take the spot kick, but not for the first time this season Marsh produced a fantastic save to keep the Rams ahead.

Glossop kept going and were rewarded with an equaliser in the 95th minute.

The Rams defence had performed well all night, but they went to sleep in injury time and allowed Bovis to atone for his penalty miss by coolly lobbing Marsh to give Glossop a deserved share of the spoils.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Marsh 7, Raywood 7, Rispen 7, Walsh 7, McCoy 7, C Clarke 7, G Gardner 6, Bulwich 6, Barker 6, D Clarke 7, Fitton 8. Substitute: Fielding 6. Not used: Weir, Grimshaw.

Ramsbottom are at home to Newcastle Town tomorrow (kick-off 3pm).