REJUVENATED United had to settle for a point against strong Merseyside opposition in their opening First North Western Trains League fixture.

Cables, who finished sixth in last season's campaign, were always going to provide a stiff test for a Rossendale club which has been transformed over the close season with the installation of new chairman Andrew Connolly.

And despite bolstering his side with a host of summer signings, manager Micky Graham was eventually grateful for Paul Daughtry's first half equaliser which earned the Stags a share of the points.

Prescot made a bright start, hitting the post and the bar, before last season's leading scorer Peter Cumiskey opened his account for the new campaign with a smart finish past debutant keeper Brian Croysdale after 27 minutes.

But Dale gradually found their feet on an atrocious surface and new signings John Borland and Jim McCluskie began to have more of an influence.

Daughtry earned them a point with a close-range finish on the stroke of half time after a cross from Matt Reywood.

But they couldn't engineer a winner in the second half, despite efforts from Craig Sargeson and Danny Heys, and they'll be out to make amends against neighbours Great Harwood Town tonight.

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