Top clash ends in stalemate

THE top game in the Lancashire and Cheshire League Premier Division produced a typically feisty and competitive game at Curzon Ashton between leaders AFC Oldham and reigning champions Whalley Range.

Oldham took the early initiative with some slick football leading to goals from Callum Franklin and Carl Beamish.

The side was put on the back foot after 55 minutes with a reduction to 10 men, but more than held their own until the 80th minute, when a speculative lob from Sean Scarry reduced the arrears.

Boosted by this, Range kept up the pressure to allow Rob Kinsella to snatch a close-range point-saver.

The draw took Oldham a point clear of non-playing Old Ashtonians with two games in hand.