Barnoldswick Town 0 Bacup & Rossendale Borough 0

BARNOLDSWICK Town ended their run of six successive defeats as they kept a rare cleansheet in Tuesday night's Premier Division basement battle.

Town, who were again missing skipper Shaun Airey, started well winning three corners in the first ten minutes.

Bacup replied with Glodi Kuba-Kuba heading a dangerous cross straight at Chris Taylor in the Town goal.

Both teams looked busy in midfield without being able to cause either keeper any worries.

Town had a good chance after 26 minutes when Scott Byram shot wide after good work from Joel Melia.

Bacup had a good chance after 35 minutes, Bryan putting Kuba-Kuba through but thankfully for Town his shot was weak and straight at Taylor.

Byrom went on a great run before curling a shot wide of Callum Jakolevs left hand post in the first minute of the second half.

Bacup immediately went up the other end and almost cashed in on a mix up between Matthew Cavanagh and Taylor. Fortunately, Taylor recovered to block the shot.

Town turned the pressure on when a Mark Threlfall shot bounced off Jakolevs chest and ran loose inside the six-yard box. Desperate defending blocked a further two shots.

Just before the hour mark Martin Broderick picked the ball up 30 yards put and unleashed a fierce shot that hit the top of Jakolevs left-hand post before he could move, the ball bouncing clear once again.

James Crorken then released Melia into the penalty area but from the corner of the six-yard box he blazed a left-foot shot wide.

It was all Town at this time. Cavanagh headed a Threlfall cross over the bar when he should at least have got it on target.

If any team was going to win the match it looked like Town, Jake McEneaney fired a shot just wide, Threlfall broke clear down the Bacup left and pulled the ball right across the face of the Bacup goal but there was no-one to tap the ball in.

With six minutes left Bacup had a chance. Matthew Maine broke clear and played Bellamy in butTaylor was quick off his line to block his shot.

Town responded when Byrom skimmed the top of the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

Although both team will be grateful for a point they may well feel they missed out on the win that would have helped ease their relegation fears.