AKZO Nobel Reserves kept up their title charge and avenged their only defeat of the season.

In a real see-saw battle, Havelock did enough to take a share of the spoils but contrived to throw away the lead twice -- the second time when keeper Darren Slater let Stephen Shackleton's speculative 35 yard shot creep in at his near post.

The impressive Neil Almond wrapped up all the points with a spot kick 10 minutes from time to keep Akzo just ahead of title rivals Grimshaw.

However, for long periods it did look like Havelock might upset the leaders again -- having already beaten them 5-3 earlier in the season.

They took the lead after 10 minutes when Chris Willis' long free kick was superbly volleyed home by Jay Brown.

However, Brown's delight turned to despair two minutes later when the striker and Akzo centre back John Taylor were sent off for an innocuous looking touchline tussle.

After a few near misses, with Shackleton the chief culprit, Akzo drew level when the lively Claudio Bellusci whipped in a cross which Simon Frith drilled home from close range.

Havelock keeper Slater then did well to keep out a header from Frith from Gareth Costello's cross before Shackleton again went to wide when put through and missed the target.

Havelock responded when John Mason forced Craig Almond to tip his free kick around the post and the keeper as called in to action again to palm a header from Wayne Thomas over the bar.

After the break, Elmo Bellusci, pulling the strings in the Akzo midfield, let fly from 20 yards which just cleared the bar.

But Havelock regained their lead with a flowing move. Chris 'Anelka' Leigh found Billy Smith wide on the left and his aggressive run took him to the by line before crossing for Thomas to fire home.

But Havelock's lead lasted no more seven minutes when Shackleton rob Smith and his long range shot deceived Slater and the ball crept in at his near post.

The keeper did go some way to redeeming himself when he kept out a good shot from John Paul Connell and then Almond.

Havelock were denied the lead for the third time when Ben Mason found James Smith whose low shot was brilliantly tipped away by Almond.

But with 10 minutes left on the clock, Akzo took the lead for the first time when Willis handed in the box and Almond cooly slotted the ball home.

Akzo sub Stuart Nicol was denied a fourth goal when he burst in to the box but saw his well struck shot tipped over the bar by Slater.

BLACKBURN COMBINATION DIVISION THREE

Akzo Nobel Reserves 3 Havelock 2

Akzo Nobel

Craig Almond (keeper) Great late save to make sure Havelock did not regain the lead...6

Gareth Costello (right back) Got forward well after the break and had a few good efforts...6

David Nicol (left back) Steady performance at the back...6

Lee Innes (centre back) Solid and made some great tackles...7

John Taylor (centre back) Sent off for touchline tussle with Jay Brown...4

Emilio Bellusci (right midfield) Showed some neat touches out wide and saw plenty of the ball...7

Simon Frith (left midfield) Took his goal well and flew in with the tackles...6

Elmo Bellusci (centre midfield) Played the simple ball well. Good vision and passed well...7

HNeil Almond (centre back) Moved to defence after sending off but still got forward. Played well...8

Stephen Shackleton (striker) Scored bizarre second goal from way out. Wasted earlier chances...6

Claudio Bellusci (striker) Buzzed about up front and cross set up opening goal...7

Subs

John Paul Connell (midfield) Put himself about when he came on...6

G Staffa (midfield) Did a decent job...6

Stuart Nicol (defence) Denied a goal by Slater's finger tip save...6

Havelock

Darren Slater (keeper) Blunder for Akzo second goal but made some good saves...6

Chris Willis (right back) Steady enough at the back...6

John Mason (left back) Not afraid to get stuck in and went close from first half free kick...7

Mark Hoyle (centre back) Skipper coped well with threat of Bellusci...7

Billy Smith (centre back) Did a decent job in heart of defence and excellent run set up second goal...6

Norman Wilcox (right midfield) Showed some good tricks in first half and sat back after the break...7

Chris Leigh (left midfield) 'Anelka' was full of running as usual and showed some good touches...6

Wayne Thomas (centre midfield) Scored second goal and did a good job...7

Paul Rowlands (centre midfield) Flitted in and out of the game...6

Jay Brown (striker) Took goal well but was sent off two minutes later...4

Ben Mason (striker) Did not get that many chances...6

Subs

James Smith (midfield) Great strike forced good save out of Almond...6

Anthony Whittaker (midfield) Busy display when he came on...6