THE battle of the two form sides predictably finished all square in an entertaining afternoon at the Tameside Stadium.

The Rams, however, came close to ending the only unbeaten league record in the top eight tiers of English football, as they finally succumbed to an equaliser four minutes from time.

The visitors took the game to their opponents in the first half, and opened the scoring after just six minutes.

A speculative shot from the edge of the area was spilled by Anthony Thompson in the home goal and Dominic Smalley, following up, reacted quickest to dart in before the keeper could recover, to fire home from close range.

That lead was doubled in the 37th minute when Lee Gaskell fired home after good work by Jordan Hulme, a first half replacement for captain Danny Warrender.

The hosts came out for the second half in much more determined mood, and reduced the arrears within two minutes when Chris Rowney tapped home.

Three minutes, Matthew Warburton crashed a shot against the Rams post as they home side looked for an equaliser.

Grant Spencer and Phil Dean both went close for United but with four minutes left, Niall Cummins scored from close range to keep Curzon’s record intact.