Academy graduate Jordan Shannon rescues a much-deserved point for the Rams in the 89th minute.
Rammy were in control of the game in the early stages of this encounter. The visitors were out-passing their opponents and creating a couple of half chances. Temi Ajibola saw his long-range effort saved with ease and just moments later Billy Hasler-Cregg was denied by Ellis Allen.
However, on 19 minutes the home side hit Ramsbottom on the counter-attack and with three passes Joe Woolley had found himself in acres of space with just Charlie Monks to beat. The Northwich number seven dispatched with ease giving Monks no chance.
The away side continued to be on top throughout the first half and saw two opportunities cleared off the line to the disbelief of the Rams faithful. Ajibola went close once again with another long-range effort but Ellis was equal to it once more.
1874 went into the break with the lead despite the efforts of Ramsbottom. Rammy came out in the same manner that they had finished the first half, attacking and dominating the ball.
On 69 minutes Murphy put a teasing ball into the near post and found Ajibola but the Rams’ number nine just couldn’t convert from five yards out. The ball came back out to Murphy who smashed it across the face of goal for a second time and it was nearly turned in by the hosts Matthew Fenton.
Lee Donafee rolled the dice and brought on Jack Grimshaw, Ryan Jennings and Jordan Shannon to try and get his side a much-desired point.
It only took 17-year-old Jordan Shannon eight minutes to make an impact off the bench. Jennings floated the initial ball into the box but, it looked as though he had overcooked the cross.
Hasler-Cregg did phenomenally well to keep the ball alive as he knocked it into the centre of the box where Jordan Shannon was waiting to smash home to get his first goal for the club and the equaliser that his side wanted so desperately.
A valiant effort from all of the lads as they showed real character to continue to fight until the very end and get a much-deserved point on the road.
Photo: Xenia Simpson
