The hosts were looking to extend their winning run to three games and looked in pole position to do so after leading by two goals after just twenty minutes.

However some brilliant determination from Ashcroft's Reds saw the two goal lead crumble, after a strike each from Jordan Dainty and Jack Anderton.

With three crucial first teamers recently missing out through injury, in the shape of Finley Devenney, Lewis Richmond and Liam Atkinson, the Ridge were up against it.

After full time though, some of the Ridge faithful were gutted that all three points weren't picked up!

There was just one change to the side that took inform Padiham to penalties on Thursday night, with Ben Trafford coming back into the XI for Lewis Richmond.

As was clear by the early scoreline, it was a tough start for the Ridge.

The first half sight of goal came for the hosts as the ball flashed across the Town six yard box only to be just missed by both Rams Harvey's, Whyte and Hayhurst.

However Town stayed in it, forcing a quick break with an opportunity brilliantly sought out by Dainty, as he flicked it over his man before threading it round the final defender towards Van Wyk.

The attacker raced onto the ball and fired at goal, seeing it come back off the outside of the post.

Luke Smith was the next to shoot, as Morgan Homson-Smith's first corner of the game was played into the midfielder on the edge of the box.

The first time effort wasn't troubling anyone though as it rolled wide of the far post.

Danger then sprung up in the Town defence, as the ball pinballed around the are and fell to winger Thomas Hoyle, who lashed it over the bar.

Unfortunately Town didn't heed those warnings and soon after they found themselves behind.

A cross from the left went through everyone and was headed home by Whyte.

Two minutes later and it was two.

An eerily similar goal but it was Hoyle this time whose header found the net.

Down but not out, pushed for one back as Dainty flicked it across goal only to find no red shirts were there waiting.

Deep into first half stoppage time, Kier Barry made a great save to tip a Hoyle effort away from goal as he broke into the box.

At the break, neither side made a change, but Town came out a different side.

Homson-Smith raced forward before being dragged down Luke Barlow.

Morgan then stepped up and rifled the 25 yard free kick off the left post.

Thankfully for Town, Dainty had raced onto the rebound and poked it into the empty net to drag Longridge back into the game.

Just moments later and Town were on the front foot again.

Homson-Smith at the centre of it again as his free kick found it's way to Newton, who fired it over bar with some venom as.

Leighton Hewitt then began to have free reign down the right hand side as his cross-turn shot was held by Tommy Davis.

Town then made two changes within the space of six minutes, with Newton and Bridges departing and being replaced by Jack Anderton and Bill Bould.

Luke Smith then picked out Hewitt on the far side as the youngster glided past Hayhurst and cannoned an effort back off the post.

Town managed to make the most of the ascendency.

Homson-Smith lobbed an incredible ball over the top of the Ramsbottom defence and into the feet of Anderton, who slotted the ball between the legs of the advancing Davis to level the scoring and complete the comeback.

Ashcroft immediately responded with a double substitution, replacing McLean and Van Wyk with Gary Basterfield and Ethan Edmundson.

Ramsbottom then came out as they looked to regain the lead.

A cross was flicked at goal by substitute Uppal but Barry spread himself well to keep it out with his legs.

Basterfield then swung a free kick into Bould but the flag promptly went up.

As we entered four minutes of additional time, both sides came very close to a big late winner.

Despite a horrendously late tackle on Mitch Marshall we continued, and Uppal headed a cross just wide seconds later.

However Town would have the remainder of the chances.

Homson-Smith almost found Anderton as the Ridge on the break but with just too much on it.

However Marshall picked it up in defence before racing through the middle and laying off Bould.

The on loan attacker played a one-two with the advancing defender before seeing a shot blocked by the body of Andrew Teague.

The ball did fall back into Bould though, who sat down Hayhurst before Barlow threw himself in front Billy's second strike on goal which looked to have been possibly nestling in the far corner.

As the hosts came away with the ball and launched it over the top the full time whistle blew.

Crazy how gutted the Ridge were that they didn't win the game following the game's first twenty.

However, a massive point on the road against a great side to push us away from any threat of relegation.

Another fantastic performance that went without three points to add to the collection.

A massive thank you to the travelling support yesterday who never relented.

We now return home on Tuesday night as we host Stockport Town at Inglewhite Road.

There's every reason to be positive about the Ridge at the moment so come down and back the boys as we look for another big result.

#UpTheRidge

The Goals

Ramsbottom: Whyte (18'), Hoyle (21')

Longridge: Dainty (51'), Anderton (76')

The Teams

Ramsbottom: Davis, Radcliffe, Teague, Barlow, Hayhurst, Walder, Baker, Hoyle, Lynch (Uppal 82'), Whyte, Turner (Camara 90')

Longridge: Barry, Trafford, Newton (Anderton 60'), Marshall, Hewitt, Bridges (Bould 66'), Smith, Dainty, McLean (Basterfield 79'), Homson-Smith, Van Wyk (Edmundson 79')