Longridge and Irlam played out a goalless draw at Silver Street with both sides looking for crucial points.

The two teams had their chances, especially in the first half when they both could've gone into the break ahead.

A draw was possibly a fair result.

Ashcroft brought Mitch Marshall, Ethan Edmundson and Liam Atkinson back into the starting XI with it being Liam's first game back from a month long injury.

It was also great to see Jack Arrowsmith back in training, who has been out for over two years with a reoccurring ACL injury.

Town had the better start, as Tremaine Eastmond's early 20 yard effort was held by Wynne in the Irlam goal.

Ryan McLean then threw the ball from the byline into Jack Anderton on the edge of the box who turned and acrobatically sent it over.

Fletcher was then fouled on half way after 13 minutes.

Edmundson set the ball down quickly and played it into Anderton.

Jack took it onto his left and fired at goal by it planed away by Wynne.

The rebound fell into the path of Atkinson who fired over from a tight angle.

It was then pulled back across goal towards Jordan Dainty whose quick snapshot was blocked.

Despite all the Town pressure, the hosts almost took the lead just before the 20th minute.

An effort from Mason Everton deflected off the foot of Ben Trafford, as it looped over the head of Kier Barry.

To the relief of everyone in red, Barry managed to dive back and claw it away from the goal.

John J A Main bent an Irlam free kick just wide of the far post as the hosts saw a bit of momentum.

Just then though, Dainty was inches off breaking the deadlock.

Following a melee in the area, it dropped to Dainty who rifled it back off the crossbar as the hosts scrambled to clear.

Leighton Hewitt received the first booking of the game for a challenge down the right.

Shortly after, Trafford also had his name taken for a pull.

Irlam then had the ball in the back of the net, but the celebrations were cut short by the flag on the far side.

Despite the appeals from furious home side, the referee sided with the linesman.

We then entered the break.

Following no changes at the break, Dainty kicked the second half off.

Atkinson had the half first chance as he volleyed over from 25 yards.

It would be a sign of things to come as he made himself a real handful after growing into the game well.

Trafford sent it forward and Atkinson chased.

The forward won it off Holt and held it up just inside the penalty area.

He looked to twist and turn to carve a shooting opportunity out, but was eventually forced to lay it off to Ben Fletcher.

Unfortunately the Town captain's effort was over.

It was then Anderton's turn to almost score.

The attacker managed to hold off McMahon well despite being heavily pulled back.

He looked to place it past Wynne but the outstretching goalkeeper tipped it over with his trailing legs.

Eastmond cut inside from the left before firing over moments later.

Dainty then departed fro Rio Alston as Town looked to win it.

Despite this, Irlam weren't far off an opener moments later, as substitute Nicholas Taylor shot wide on the counter attack.

Atkinson then managed to control a long ball from the back before volleying into the arms of the comfortable Wynne.

Once again, Irlam then hit back.

A effort, fired across goal by Johnston was tipped wide by the fingertips of Kier Barry.

The game then continued the basketball nature as Town then came forward.

A lovely one-two between Alston and Hewitt almost sent the latter in on goal as Rio flicked it on brilliantly but a last ditch clearance from Holt prevented a clear cut chance for Hewitt.

It then bounced around following the resulting corner.

It fell to Atkinson who volleyed it wide on the half turn.

Both sides desperately trying to force it into the net late on.

Jack Mitchell then headed just wide for Irlam, with Town's hearts in mouths

As we entered five additional minutes, Hewitt curled it into the danger zone.

It looked to be going over and out but an incredible touch from Alston kept the chance alive.

He immediately looked to square it to Atkinson who saw the goal gaping.

However a vital intervention from Holt saw the hosts clear it at the death.

Irlam then threw bodies forward it an attempt to catch Town out, but the reds stood firm until the whistle went.

A very solid point on the road and one to build on.

Especially with Tuesday on the horizon.

A big thank you to those who backed the boys brilliantly in Manchester.

Today's point officially secures safety, for those concerned.

All focus is now on Tuesday night's LFA Cup semi final against National League North side Southport at Inglewhite Road.

We can't wait to welcome everyone down again.

#UpTheRidge

The Goals:

Irlam: N/A

Longridge: N/A

The Teams:

Irlam: Wynne, Roxburgh, Francis, Holt, McMahon, Langford, Mitchell, Everton, Main, Johnston (Modi 24'), Daniels (Taylor 47')

Longridge: Barry, Hewitt, Trafford, Marshall, McLean, Fletcher, Edmundson, Dainty (Alston 64') Eastmond, Anderton, Atkinson