SKIPPER Lee Duckworth scored for the first time this term to earn a point.

It was the least Winsford deserved from a game hampered by a poor pitch and even worse wind, yet they still created enough chances to win.

The woodwork, plus sloppy shooting, denied them.

However the hosts had the best of the early stages and they capitalised on poor defending to take the lead on 12 minutes.

There seemed little danger when Dominic Slavin collected the ball inside Blues' half but he was allowed to progress to the edge of the area before unleashing a shot that somehow evaded Michael Langley.

A minute before the break Dean Ennion's free kick from the edge of the area brought a smart save from keeper Phil Melville.

The tables were turned in the second period as Blues took control.

On 50 minutes Bluck teed up Mason but his strike was cleared off the line.

Four minutes later ex-Blue Steve Stott was shown a red card for a horrendous two-footed tackle on Ennion, an incident that sparked a short spell of bad feeling between the two sets of players.

The visitors were now laying siege to the Bacup goal and Darren Connell was doubly unlucky, firstly with a shot that was cleared off the line and then a header from Duckworth's cross that scraped the angle.

On 69 minutes Winsford drew level when Duckworth's 30-yard shot was palmed into the net by Melville.

Darren Connell's header hit the bar late on but Blues had to settle for a draw.

Star Man: Dean Ennion
Blues: Langley (GK), Calland, Duckworth, Callaghan, Ridler, Bluck, Mason, Ennion, Connell, Miranda, Madin
Subs not used: Dears, Kennedy, Barnes
Attendance: 75