ACCRINGTON Stanley were held to a 1-1 draw at UniBond Premier Division side Burscough last night.

Stanley, whose reserve team lost 5-0 in a friendly at Leek Town on Monday, fielded a number of trialists and were pegged back in the second half after a dominant display in the opening period.

Bobby Grant put the Reds ahead in the 36th minute after the impressive John Miles skipped past his marker on the left and pulled the ball back for his team-mate to convert from six yards.

But Burscough levelled 17 minutes into the second half when Steve Williams’ free kick was deflected to completely wrong foot trialist Bryn Halliwell – a 28-year-old former Wimbledon and Queen of the South goalkeeper who gave a competent display.

Burscough had had the first chance of the game when Jay Bell, who is now with the Victoria Park club after leaving Stanley in the summer, crossed for Ryan Wade to head over.

But home goalkeeper Zak Jones was forced into a fine save when former Blackburn Rovers centre back Dean Winnard – one of three summer signings on show – met Miles’ free kick with a fierce header.

Grant then fired inches wide and was twice denied by Jones either side of his first-half goal.

As well as Halliwell, Stanley handed trial appearances to Ross Lloyd, Lewis Field, Andy Pearson and Gary King – formerly with Blackpool, Wigan, Brighton and Lincoln respectively.

King thought he had put Stanley back in front when he headed in a cross from namesake Chris King, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Burscough could have won it themselves late on when Matty Parry struck the crossbar.

Former chairman Eric Whalley was in the crowd along with Craig Lindfield, who is a summer target.

Stanley: Bryn Halliwell; Ross Lloyd (Peter Cavanagh 46), Dean Winnard (Phil Edwards 46), Andy Pearson (Peter Murphy 46), Lewis Field (Chris King 46); Chris Turner (Sean McConville 46), Alan Burton (Andy Procter 46), Luke Joyce (Jimmy Ryan 46), John Miles; Paul Mullin (Gary King 46), Bobby Grant (Michael Symes 46).