Lancaster City 1 Bamber Bridge 1"The players will be told only a win will do against Bamber," said City manager Tony Hesketh last week, only half jokingly.

But in the end it was honours even against a side who have the biggest game of their history in the FA Cup on Saturday against Cambridge United.

All that glory could have been City's if they hadn't have been knocked out by local rivals Brig in that grandest of competitions a few short weeks ago. Instead the Blues will take on Guiseley at home on Saturday.

That game will probably mark the end of an era of sorts for football in the whole of Lancaster and Morecambe. It will be the first game in a footballing lifetime that John Kennedy won't be in the squads of either City or the Shrimps.

The player is still registered with the club but has left to play for Springfields in the West Lancashire League. Club secretary Mike Sparks said he thought the manager was pruning his squad after the arrival of Mark Bailey last week.

City took the lead on 11 minutes shortly after Neil Morton had spurned a gift wrapped chance. Morton redeemed himself by ably collecting a forward pass from Shane Jessop and knocking it through to Kevin Barnes who beat Craig Dootson from ten yards.

Then came City keeper Mark Thornley's moments of drama. Booked for bringing down Andy Whittaker in the box five minutes from half time he promptly saved Steve Aspinall's penalty kick.

But eight minutes after half time Bridge scored when the ball fell to Nigel Greenwood from six yards.

City gave it all they had to regain their lead but failed to make many clear cut chances and a draw always looked likely from then on. Lancaster are now slipping in the league and need to turn some of these draws to victories.

Team: Thornley, Kilbane, Graham, Udall, Horner, Mayers, Jessop, Bailey, Barnes (Martin 70), Morton, Crompton (Dickinson 80). Att: 269.

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