RAMSBOTTOM UTD 1 GREAT HARWOOD TOWN 1 RAMSBOTTOM'S eight-match winning run was halted by battling Great Harwood as both sides picked up a point in the NWCL Division One derby at the Riverside.

The Rams are still pushing for the title and are unbeaten in 15 League games while Harwood needed the point as they battle for First Division survival.

And it was Harwood who got away to a good start with a goal on six minutes.

Richard Fogarty crossed from the right and Sean Bursnell hit a screamer past Keith Neild in the Ramsbottom goal.

That early setback rocked the home side and they struggled to get their game together against a battling Harwood side.

Ramsbottom's Neil Wallace hit a post and a Danny Goodall free kick was easily taken by Russell Whalley in the Town goal.

At the other end, Neild saved at the feet of Fogarty and was quickly in action again this time holding Damian McKay's shot from the edge of the box.

Ramsbottom's best move of the half ended with Steve Orrell's volley flying inches over the crossbar.

The first half ended with Great Harwood deserving their one goal lead.

Ramsbottom started the second half looking more positive and a strong run by Goodall ended with him being brought down just outside the box.

Great Harwood charged the free kick down and then Orrell's cross from the left came off the top of the crossbar with Whalley beaten.

Ramsbottom equalised again on 61 minutes when Russell Brierley looped a header over the advancing Whalley to take his own goalscoring tally to 28 for the season.

The visitors then had a close shave when Willcock, just five yards out, couldn't dig the ball from under his feet and a Harwood defender hacked the ball to safety.

On 78 minutes Great Harwood were reduced to 10 men when striker Martin Horsfield was sent off and in the closing minutes shots from both Brierley and Willcock almost snatched a Ramsbottom winner.

Harwood battled for every ball and in the end won themselves what could turn out to be a vital point.