WHEN the going gets tough, the tough get going! Lynx certainly strained every fibre and tissue in following the theme of Billy Ocean's hit song to hold on for a draw against determined Oldham which finished Lancs Lynx 18 Oldham 18.

Preston Grasshoppers ground, used due to pitch renovations at Deepdale, looked a picture before the game but it soon turned in to a battlefield as both sides played hard.

Both sides defended as if their season depended on it. Second rower Carl Briscoe gave away a penalty and the Oldham stand-off, Chris Wilkinson, kicked the goal to send them into a 2-0 lead.

Lynx struggled for a time before bad Oldham discipline helped them towards the try line. Lively Chris Kelly raced through the Oldham defence and sent Steve Ashcroft over for his third try in as many games.

Stand-off Phil Jones missed the conversion but made amends when he extended the lead to 6-2 with a penalty.

Three minutes later poor Lynx defensive work gave Oldham hooker Darren Robinson an easy run to the line to square the scores at 6-6.

The Lynx, spurred on by captain Andy Ruane, soon re-grouped and scored a vital try three minutes before half-time.

Kelly was once again involved as he put up a high kick which bounced favourably for Phil Jones to score. The crowd roared as 'Indiana' converted his own try.

Lynx resumed on top, with former Oldham player Darren Abram, ignoring the boos, combining well with substitute Neil Mawdesley.

The two sent away winger Neil Parsley who out-sprinted the Oldham full-back to score his seventh try of the season.

Jones converted the try from the touchline to send Lynx two scores ahead, 18-6.

As the game went into the final quarter, Oldham stepped up a couple of gears and substitutes Ian Sinfield and Paul Round were involved in a fighting comeback.

Wilkinson converted tries from Neil Flanagan and Steve Wilde to send the game in to a nail-biting 18-18 tie.

Oldham were now sensing victory and it took the combination of fantastic Lynx tackling and a succession of missed drop goals to keep them out.

In fact, after putting up a brilliant defence, Lynx still had a chance to win the game but captain Ruane's drop goal dipped agonisingly under the bar.

The record crowd for a Division Two game (1,351) all went home happy after watching a great game.

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