NELSON had to settle for a point after leading twice and then missing a penalty.

Mark Banyard put the Blues in front after only six minutes when he fired in Dennis Hill's low ball across the area.

But the Nelson defence was caught square after 20 minutes when Louie Scott drove a shot in off the bar.

The Blues were denied a penalty on 33 minutes when Gary Smith was looked to have been felled, but he was controversially booked for simulation.

Nelson regained the lead on the hour when Sean Davis's inswinging corner gave Tony Roscoe the chance of a glancing header from the edge of the six-yard-box.

But five minutes later, a clumsy challenge by the Blues defence gave Scott the chance to level.

Nelson wasted a series of chances, including a penalty for a foul on Roscoe, which was missed by Ed O'Neil.