RAMSBOTTOM made a great start to the new millennium, taking just three minutes to find the net.

Mike Langhorn found Brendan O'Shaughnessy, whose flick-on came to Steve Orrell and his looping shot beat the advancing Fleetwood keeper to make it 1-0.

Fleetwood came back strongly and both Dave Roach and Warren Brierley made important clearances to prevent an early equaliser.

Central defender Mike Smith got forward and tested the Freeport keeper Tony Clowes with a low shot.

A foul on O'Shaughnessy 20 yards out saw Langhorn's well struck free kick just a yard off target.

Midway through the half Fleetwood, although still a goal in arrears looked to be shading the contest and Rams' keeper Mike Kelly had to be on his toes making an excellent stop from Frank Cygal.

As the half ended, Clowes kept his side in the game saving with his legs as Russell Brierley burst clear of the visitors' defence.

Fleetwood opened the second half on the attack and an excellent cross from the left was met by John Riches but fortunately for Ramsbottom his shot finished in the side netting. United replied with a neat passing move and David Yorke-Robinson's shot produced a diving save from Clowes.

On 55 minutes, Fleetwood deservedly drew level when a through ball down the middle found Riches in space and although being closed down by three defenders, he kept his cool to beat Kelly with a precise finish.

Russell Brierley beat two defenders to create an opening for himself but his final shot was straight at Clowes.

It was now anyone's game and both defences were put to the test. Ramsbottom introduced all three substitutes as they sought a winner with Steve Brennan especially effective down the right side.

In the closing minutes Yorke-Robinson was desperately unlucky to see his goal-bound shot touched onto the crossbar by Clowes.

In a final flourish, Langhorn's free kick caused the Fleetwood defence problems but they hacked the ball away to safety and earned themselves a valuable away point.

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