RAMSBOTTOM went into their final home game of the season without a number of regular players as they faced a rejuvenated Flixton who, under manager Dalton Steele, have lost just once in ten outings.

With only two minutes played Danny Goodall was desperately unlucky not to give Ramsbottom the lead with a 25 yard drive that Flixton keeper Kurt Edgington touched on to his crossbar.

Play moved from end to end with the visitors showing why they have been in such good form over the past two months and Rams keeper Paul Horridge twice had to be quick off his line to cut out dangerous Flixton attacks.

On the half hour Brad Franks was not far away with a cracking drive that beat Edgington all ends up. Ramsbottom had a good spell of pressure as Edgington saved from Steve Orrell and Chris Willcock saw his goal bound effort scrambled off the line for a corner kick by a Flixton defender.

In the final minutes of the half both sides went for that important opening goal but the first half ended goalless but with both sides providing such an open contest a goal or two looked likely in the second period.

As the second half got underway Flixton mounted the first real strike when Gavin Salmons' fierce 20 yard shot was well taken by Horridge. Ramsbottom replied with the dangerous Goodall free kick that eluded everyone but finished inches beyond the far post.

On 55 minutes Warren Riley replaced the injured Brad Franks, coming on for only his second appearance of the season following the serious knee injury he sustained almost two years ago.

Horridge made a great stop from Troy Hayden as Flixton stepped up the pace. With the game into the final 20 minutes the visitors looked to be shading the attacking play but it was David Yorke-Robinson who went near to a goal with a first time shot that was just a yard over the top.

On 75 minutes Ramsbottom grabbed the lead when Jon Phillips' free kick was brilliantly headed home by Yorke-Robinson. The lead lasted just eight minutes with Flixton equalising through Jordan Burke who pounced to turn in the rebound after Horridge made a marvellous block from Hayden's header.

Eight minutes of stoppage time failed to find a further goal but overall a point apiece was about right from a game that was a good contest from start to finish.

RAMSBOTTOM UTD...1 FLIXTON...1