RAMSBOTTOM UNITED 1 GREAT HARWOOD TOWN 1

RAMSBOTTOM's inconsistency surfaced again as they were unable to see off a side in the North West Counties Division One relegation zone.

Great Harwood got away to a fine start with a goal after just six minutes. Richard Fogarty's cross found Shaun Bursnell, who scored from the edge of the penalty box.

The Rams looked decidedly below par as they struggled against a side battling for their First Division lives.

Neil Wallace hit a post and Danny Goodall's 20-yard free-kick was easily dealt with by Russell Whalley in the Great Harwood goal.

A promising attack by Town ended with Keith Nield saving at the feet of the impressive Fogarty, who had a spell at the Riverside two seasons ago.

Steve Orrell was desperaely unlucky not to find an equaliser when he hit a great volley inches over the bar with Whalley beaten.

Whilst the surface was far from perfect, and the blustery conditions made constructive football extremely difficult, Ramsbottom gave the ball away far too often and the opening 45 minutes ended with the visitors deserving their slender one-goal lead.

At the start of the second period, Goodall made a strong 20-yard run only to be sent crashing on the edge of the penalty box.

The visitors charged the free-kick down then rode their luck as Russell Brierley's cross came off the top of the bar.

Ramsbottom drew level on 61 minutes when Chris Willcock headed the ball to Goodall. He crossed from the left and Brierley sent a looping header past the stranded Whalley.

On 73 minutes Orrell's cross caused panic in the Great Harwood defence, but Willcock just five yards from goal, couldn't dig the ball from under his feet and a Great Harwood defender hacked the ball to safety.

Twelve minutes from time Harwood's Martin Horsfield was sent off for swearing at the linesman, but Ramsbottom failed to capitalise on the extra man advantage.

In the final minutes, both Brierley and Willcock went close, but the 10-man Harwood side held on to take a point and end the Rams' run of five successive wins.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED: Nield 6, Morris 6, Goodall 6, Smith 6, Thomas 5, Brookes 5, Cameron 6, Wallace 6, Brierley 6, Willcock 6, Orrell 6. Substitutes: Porter (for Thomas 43 mins) 6, White (for Brookes 80 mins). Not used: Heyes.

Salford City visit the Riverside tomorrow (kick-off 3pm) and St Helens Town come calling on Tuesday night next week (7.45pm).