Longridge Town settled for a point in a 1-1 draw with Prestwich Heys.

Luke Smith opened the scoring with 20 minutes played.

Louis Holt levelled the game from the penalty spot, before Toby Coar was sent off for Longridge for a second bookable offence.

Town came ever so close to winning it at the death, but so did Heys.

The only change made to the XI was the captain, Ben Fletcher returning in place of the absent Josh Muir.

The game got underway and Town flew out the blocks.

A loose goal kick to Prestwich's Kyle Haslam landed at the feet of Will Procter who sent his strike partner Liam Atkinson on his way.

The attacker raced forward and saw his effort deflect over with help from the top of the crossbar.

Town then won their first corner.

Jack Anderton played it short to Smith who gave it him back.

Anderton cut inside and fired just over the bar.

The early pressure would pay off.

With 19 minutes played, Yuvi Dewan slid it across the edge of the penalty area to Smith whose first time effort curled past the 'keeper.

The visiting side then had a good spell, with Bryson Appleton shooting wide and Takura Sambizi seeing a close range effort blocked by Coar.

Holt then raced onto a long down the right, only for Coar to scythe him down in the box.

A penalty was promptly awarded and Coar was booked, leaving Holt to send Charlie Brier to wrong way to level the game.

Brier had to make a great save from a powerful Heys free kick moments later.

With Appleton racing into a one-on-one with Brier, Anderton made an incredible challenge to stop him in his tracks just before the break.

At half time, ticket no.12752 won the half time pound for the ground jackpot of £56.

A big thank you to those who entered today.

The support is always greatly appreciated.

Soon into the second half, Dewan and Procter made way for Ben Trafford and Oscar Wright.

Atkinson came close on two occasions, the first was a tame effort into the arms of Haslam, but for the second, the goalkeeper had to beat away a fierce effort from the striker after Town had won it back high up the field through Fletcher.

With 20 minutes left to play, Daniel Wilkinson made his long awaited return to the Inglewhite Road turf.

Welcome back, Danny.

Disaster then struck, as Coar was given his marching orders following a rash challenge on half-way for a second yellow card.

Town were then immediately under pressure from the visitors.

Ryan McLean was the next in the referee's book for a heavy challenge down the left.

Brier held and effort from Mworina Doro after the Prestwich substitute had driven forward.

Town then took their turn to attack in stoppage time.

Wright chased down the Heys defender before winning it back and going on a brilliant solo run, gliding past two defenders before eventually being halted by a brilliant challenge just inside the box by Joe Camozzi.

The loose ball fell to Smith whose first time effort was just about kept out by the goalkeeper.

The visitors then hit the post in the 93rd minute, with a cross from Luke Findlow being stabbed onto the woodwork from close range by Doro.

The referee then blew the full time whistle, confirming a point for either side.

Speaking after the game, assistant manager Charlie Russell said:

"Yeah it's a fair result.

"Every credit to them, they're a good setup.

"I thought we were very good going forward in the first half, you can see by the goal.

"We couldn't deal with their switch of plays, but that's something to work on."

You can watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/takAqmfSTaI?si=UvkqN5v33RuE5F24

Today's attendance can be confirmed as 178.

A massive thank you for your fantastic support.

The Ridge remain in 11th place in the Premier Division.

We now go again on Tuesday 17th February against Chadderton at Inglewhite Road.

We are also at home to AFC Liverpool on Saturday 21st February.

Once again, thank you for your support today.

The Goals

Longridge: Smith (19')

Prestwich Heys: Holt (33')

The Teams

Longridge: Brier, Dewan (Trafford 53'), Coar, McLean, Anderton, Fletcher, Gough, Smith, Hewitt, Procter (Wright 53'), Atkinson (Wilkinson 68')

Prestwich Heys: Haslam, Byron (McNair 84'), Smyth, Tinker, Findlow, Taylor, Worrall, Mann (Comozzi 71'), Appleton, Sambizi, Holt (Doro 84')