A DRAB draw sees Winsford slip to ninth in the table.

If supporters expected a flow of exciting football and chances then they left disappointed as stout defences on both sides saw the game drift into a midfield battle.

The visitors crafted the clearest openings.

But Blues had the best of the early exchanges with Les Miranda just failing to convert John Bluck's cross on two minutes and Chris Sheppard's long-range effort was easily saved by goalkeeper Mark Crossley five minutes later.

It was the quarter hour before Michael Langley was brought into action, pushing Martin Broderick's shot from the right around the post.

Colne were beginning to have more of a say with Liam Garbutt frequently opening up the left hand side, fortunately most of the chances created were easily dealt with by Blues' defence, bolsterd by the return of twin pivots Dave Barnes and Dave Ridler after injury and suspension.

The nearest the hosts came to scoring was on 29 minutes when Bluck's shot-cum-cross from the right struck the outside of the post.

Garbutt almost broke the deadlock on eight minutes before the break when his 25-yard shot was pushed around the post by Langley's fingertips.

The hosts flattered to deceive in the opening minute of the second half when Bluck's cross was headed just wide of the far post by Barnes.

Efforts from Broderick and Kevin Urwins kept Langley on his toes at the other end.

In reply Lee Madin's 64th minute free kick just missed the target and other efforts from Miranda and skipper Lee Duckworth failed to test Colne custodian Crossley.

Star Man: Mark Calland - Sterling defensive work
Blues: Langley (GK), Calland, Duckworth, Barnes, Ridler, Bluck, Madin, Ennion (Mason 68), Thompson (Connell 68), Miranda, Sheppard
Subs not used: Kennedy, Dears, Sayer
Attendance: 110