NELSON battled hard for a point in this action-packed Vodkat League Premier Division clast at Victoria Park.

The Blues did well to keep out some good attacks by the visitors in the opening half-hour.

Billy Carrington turned a point-blank header over the bar with an instinctive save, while Marc Taylor and Marc Berry made goal-line clearances to prevent Squires Gate taking the lead.

Somewhat against the run of play, Nelson went in front after 34 minutes when Martin Payne was brought down in the penalty box, and Sam Heap converted the spot-kick.

But two minutes later, Squires Gate drew level when David Cram fired a low diagonal shot into the Nelson net through a crowd of home defenders.

Lee Kershaw – the Nelson captain – played a prominent part but was sent off late in the game for his comments to the officials, after he had been fouled.

Carrington produced another great save to turn Chris Farrar’s shot around the post, but Nelson’s 10 men were unlucky to be denied another penalty when Todd Hayes was tripped by a Squires Gate defender in the closing minutes of the game.

Nelson are back in action tomorrow night when they host East Lancashire rivals Colne in the Lancashire FA Co-Operative Challenge Trophy (7.45pm kick-off).