BLUES fought back from two goals down to extend their unbeaten streak to eight games.

And it was top scorer Les Miranda who rescued a point with a second half brace after the visitors stormed into the lead.

Winsford still lost their top six spot as a result.

They gifted the visitors two goals inside the opening quarter hour, both the result of defensive distractions.

The visitors took the lead on two minutes.

Former Winsford fan favourite Dave Hanlon - who else? - was left completely unmarked on the edge of the area to steer the ball past Michael Langley.

At this stage the youthful Rams were testing Blues' defence to the extreme with accurate passing and skilful running off the ball and it looked as if this might be a game that was going to slip away from the hosts.

Things appeared even darker on 17 minutes when a lack of communication between Langley and Mark Calland allowed Andrew Johnson to steal the ball and side foot it home.

To their credit Winsford steadied themselves and began to pose a few problems of their own.

It was 36 minutes before they registered an attempt on goal when Mischa Showers' shot on the turn flashed wide.

They went close again when John Bluck teed up the ball for a blast from Phil Mason only for a defender to block on the line.

The visitors' attacks were fewer after the interval as Winsford began to take control. However, the first goal proved to be elusive with a long-range effort from skipper Lee Duckworth deflecting past the post.

The breakthrough was worth the wait.

Miranda's speculative effort from flew into the top corner to re-ignite the contest.

A minute later Blues should have been level when Bluck's cross from the right evaded everyone in the penalty area.

Joe Gibiliru's men continued to pile on the pressure and 10 minutes from time Duckworth's cross was nearly turned into his own net by a Ramsbottom defender.

The visitors' goal was under siege for the closing stages but it was deep into injury time when the equaliser came.

Just about every forward tried to convert Bluck's corner and the ball bounced like a pinball before Miranda scored from close range.

STAR MAN: Les Miranda
BLUES: Langley, Calland, Duckworth, Barnes, Ridler, Bluck, Ennion, Showers, Connell (Sheppard 46), Miranda, Owens
Subs not used: Madin, Kennedy, Dears, Callaghan

Attendance: 95.