With the league being as tight as it is at the moment, Standians could ill afford to drop any points going into the October's four games.

So, dropping two points away to Droylsden was the worse possible start to an important month in the club's season.

The Whiteflied side were off the boil from the kick off, and at no point during the three points.

Injuries and the absence of Steve Abbott and Iain Yeates meant it was going to be a struggle for Standians, but they should have still been strong enough to win.

A poor start by Standians wasn't punished by Droylsden, as their forwards couldn't keep themselves onside and they were also guilty of some poor finishing.

The importance of no-nonsense football at the back was instilled by manager Neil Aldred, but on numerous occasions Standians played themselves into trouble with silly square balls on the edge of their area and poor short balls through out the midfield.

They rode their luck and with Droylsden failing to force Hinchy into any first half saves it was a relief to find themselves 1-0 up at half time.

Captain Stephen Critchley was the goal scorer, and what a goal it was too.

A neat ball inside by Jepson found Critchley 30 yards from goal and he stroked the ball crisply into the top left hand corner, leaving the Droylsden keeper with no chance.

Despite stern words at half-time, Standians stil could not emerge from their shell in the second half.

Poor passing, poor decision making and a distinct lack of effort encouraged the Droylsden side forward and Standians were soon pinned back.

Goalkeeper Hinchy produced a couple of fine saves to keep Standians lead intact, but when a high ball forward from the Droylsden left back was allowed to drop they were punished.

The ball fell in behind centre half Seaborn, Mark Perkin came over to cover from his right back position but the Droylsden forward nipped in between the two and forced Hinchy to save well down low, but Droylsden's captain reacted quickest to the rebound and tucked the ball home from 12 yards.

The realisation that they were going to have to work for a point spurred Standians into finding a rhythm in their play and they created the final chances of the game.

Both Perkin and McKenna missed and Jepson had a mazy run and shot cleared off the line.

Standians travel to Whalley Range in the Lancashire Cup Third Round on Saturday.

STANDIANS: Hinchy, Nolan, O'Shaughnessy, Seaborn, Mark Perkin, Wright, Riley, Cricthley, Jepson, McKenna, G. Perkin. Subs not used: Brown.

l The second team beat Salford Victoria 3-1, with Dan Perkin grabbing a brace and Atkinson grabbing the other