A sensational goal by striker Andy Sensale is not enough for the Rams as they once again failed to capitalise on the many chances they created.

Squires Gate had gone into this game on the back of three successive victories whilst the Rams had lost their last two games but it was Neil Harts men that started the brighter.

The Rams took a foothold of the game from the opening minutes but without really testing the home keeper.    They had plenty of possession but they consistently failed to find a target man in the final third.

However they finally made the breakthrough in the 28th minute when Lee McNally broke forwards into the penalty area.    He was hustled away from goal but somehow managed to get a shot in and the ball found its way to Andy Sensale.   With his back to the keeper, Sensale majestically back heeled the ball into the net.   Shades of Christiano Ronaldo perhaps?

ABOVE : Sensale `Ronaldo` back heels the ball past the keeper

This goal seemed to spur the Rams on and they created further goal threats but again, without really testing the keeper.

At the other end, John Ogden in the Rams goal had, to this stage of the game been relatively quiet but he was brought into the action in the 34th minute when a shot looped over him and when it seemed certain the ball would end up in the net he somehow acrobatically managed to palm the ball off the line and caught it at the second attempt.

ABOVE : John Ogden does a Gordon Bank and saves the day for the Rams!

Ogden was called into action again in the dying minutes of the first half was a tremendous shot by Hibbert went goalwards but the Rams number one was easily placed to make the save.

The second half saw an almost perfect 45 minutes for the Rams as they swamped the Squires Gate goal with chance after chance.

Jamie Lester had the perfect chance to put the Rams two-nil in front when the home keeper fumbled the ball onto his own bar and as the ball dropped down to the advancing Lester, it seemed a formality for the Rams defender to open his account for the season but somehow he failed to squeeze the ball past the keeper - even though he had three attempts to do so!   Eventually the keeper made a final save to put the ball out for a corner kick and the chance had gone.

ABOVE : Lester rues a missed chance

Ramsbottom continued to pour forwards and they should have scored again when Richard Dunn found a little time on the right and he sent in a teasing shot that the keeper did well to put out for a corner kick.  Further chances fell to Mike Brierley who may have scored at least two but unselfishness led to the chances going astray.   First he was perfectly placed to test the keeper when he received the ball just inside the Squires Gate penalty area but he opted to pass the ball to Sensale who was tackled at the last minute.   Brierley then headed the ball across the six yard area when, again, it may have been better to go for goal.

ABOVE : Mike Brierley had chances

In the meantime, Squires Gate tried to make inroads into the Rams area but the Ramsbottom defence stood firm and repelled most attacks.

However they could do nothing in the 77th minute when `Gate were awarded a corner kick.    John Ogden raced off his line to punch the ball clear but it was soon hit back into the danger zone where Hibbert was on hand to place the ball under the legs of Eckersley and the stranded keeper to give his side the equalising goal.

ABOVE : Hibbert equalises for Squires Gate

This was a big blow for the Rams as they where once again pegged back in a game they had dominated.

Squires Gate had their tails up and they almost took the lead when one shot beat Ogden and cannoned back off the post but luckily for the Rams, `Gate had a man in an offside position when the shot went in.

The final whistle brought a much welcomed point for the Rams but many people where disappointed it was not three.   Once again missed chances costs them dear and this seems to have been the story of the season.

Two Squires Gate supporters where heard saying it was one of the poorest games they had seen their side play in this season but if they can play badly and still earn a point then they must be doing something right!