Newcastle Town 2 Atherton LR 2

ROVERS more than matched fifth in the NWCL Division One table Newcastle despite missing highly rated defender Tony Smith and 14 goal striker Barry Massay.

The feeling in the LR camp after the game was one of being robbed of three points by a controversial penalty awarded to the Potteries outfit in the 23rd minute.

Wayne Bridden had given Rovers the lead on ten minutes when he spotted the shaky home keeper off his line and chipped home from the edge of the area.

The hosts were pegged back on the defensive and lucky not to concede again before the referee pointed to the spot after a player appeared to have gone down virtually unchallenged.

Newcastle star striker Andy Bott showed the visitors no sympathy in taking his season tally to 31 with the converted kick.

The play before the interval again saw Rovers creating but not taking numerous chances and in the very first minute of the second half Newcastle went in front through David Woodvine.

With five minutes to go Mark Parry finally got the leveller Rovers' outstanding play deserved and they were only denied a winner by three outstanding saves, two from superb Mark Fitton efforts.

Centre back Fitton was named as Atherton's man of the match.

Ramsbottom United's game at Flixton was postponed leaving manager Mike Kelly's two new signings, Gary Lewis, a left sided midfield player, who has joined the Rams from Colwyn Bay, and right winger-cum-striker Carl Lomax, previously with Congleton Town, to wait for tomorrow night's trip to Woodley Sports for their debuts.

FIXTURES

Tuesday: NWCL Division One - Woodley sports v Ramsbottom Utd