A late Dennis Sherriff header rescued a point for Calum Sykes New Mills side in a game that they dominated for long periods, but ultimately failed to kill off a spirited Nelson side. The Lancashire club came into the game having lost all four of their competitive fixtures so far this season, but a managerial change saw much needed experience added to their side and as a result presented a tough test for the home side.

Millers Manager Sykes was forced to make changes from the previous weeks impressive victory over Eccleshall, with Darcy O'Connor suspended and strikers Nathan Neequaye and Ed Driver unavailable. Skipper Warren Gaskin returned to the side in central defence to replace O'Connor, while Sam Scott moved to centre forward to partner namesake Callum.

The home side started well and created chances early, George Blackwell in particular impressing with his trickery and intelligent wing play and he was unfortunate not to give his side the lead just three minutes in, after his jinking run ended with a curling shot that was palmed away by Harry Wissett in the Nelson goal. The Millers continued to exert heavy pressure on the visitors and they came close to taking the lead on 25 minutes when Sam Scott headed over from close range following a right wing corner. Blackwell had another chance to give his side the lead on the half hour mark, but shot wide from the edge of the area after more intelligent wing play.

With ten minutes to go the interval the Miller finally got the goal their play deserved, a long range Arron Kirk shot was parried out by Wissett and Callum Scott slotted home the rebound to mark his first appearance of the season with a goal. The visitors response was immediate, a cross from the right hand side was powerfully headed past Dean Williams by Alex Mullen and Nelson looked the more likely to add to the scoring before the interval.

Sykes made tactical changes at half-time, Andy Mottershead was withdrawn and replaced by Michael Jones who came on for his first appearance of 2017/18, with the Millers changing their shape to counter specific threats caused by the visitors. It was Nelson though that cam closest to going ahead when on 56 minutes Dean Williams was forced to save with his feet before scrambling the rebound wide. Filling in as an emergency striker for the unavailable Neequaye and Driver, Sam Scott had battled hard to make an impact and came close twice in quick succession. First on 61 minutes he volleyed an Arron Kirk cross goalwards, only to see it blocked by a defender, and then just a minute later he saw his shot from the edge of the area deflected wide.

With 15 minutes to go Kirk created another opportunity for his side, a fine cross from the left volleyed wide by substitute Michael Jones. With ten minutes to go the Millers were punished for their wastefulness, Nelson breaking incisively and a clever square pass was slotted home by Anthony McLoughlin. Millers boss Sykes was forced into action, withdrawing Callum Scott and Adam Kay, and thrusting youngster Jordan Pendlebury and striker Dennis Sherriff into the action. With time running out the Millers were rewarded for their bold substitutions, Bobby Lofthouse floated in a free-kick from the right hand side and Sherriff escaped his marker to head home powerfully at the far post with his first touch since joining the action. In injury time the home side could have clinched the three points, Pendlebury wriggling away from the defence at a set piece, but his header drifted wide.

The game ended 2-2, The Millers remain unbeaten in the league in 2017/18 and move on to face Sandbach United on Wednesday evening, before Holker OB visit Church Lane next Saturday.

Line Up:

1. Dean Williams, 2. Jack Beswick, 3. Andy Mottershead (Michael Jones), 4. Arron Kirk, 5. Joe Armstrong, 6. Warren Gaskin (c), 7. Adam Kay (Dennis Sherriff), 8. Bobby Lofthouse, 9. Sam Scott, 10. Callum Scott (Jordan Pendlebury), 11. George Blackwell

Unused Subs: Luke Pearson, Joe Rothwell