Barnoldswick Town 3 Squires Gate 2: Gate surrender a two-goal lead in defeat

Squires Gate's Dean Ing heads home Picture: Ian Moore

Following two defeats in as many games, Luke Evans welcomed back Dean Ing, new signing Jacob Ridings started at right-back, while Matty Garrett was in goal with Jordan Gidley unavailable.

Garrett was called into action early on, holding a shot from distance, while James Boyd was the first to threaten for Gate but a loose touch allowed the hosts to clear.

Andy Haworth broke through on 19 minutes, only to be denied by a smart stop.

However, from the corner, Ing headed Boyd’s delivery goalwards and Haworth was on hand to poke it home.

Gate doubled their lead seven minutes later when Boyd’s superb free-kick was met by Ing and he headed powerfully into the net.

Three minutes later and the hosts pulled one back as Zack Dale cut inside and gave Garrett no chance with a wonderful effort into the far corner via the post.

The hosts levelled things up two minutes after that, Alex Ralph with an emphatic strike into the top corner from the edge of the box.

The comeback was completed on 39 minutes, Barnoldswick taking the lead as Gareth Hill guided the ball into the bottom corner after Gate failed to clear their lines.

After the break, Gate looked to bounce back with Elliott Pond close to connecting with a cross from Ing, who also saw a shot well held.

Jake Higham volleyed just wide of the far post before Dec Baldwin and Haworth both had half-chances and Ing saw another effort held.

Gate’s best chance proved their last real sight of goal on 80 minutes as Jamie Ramwell pulled the ball back to Boyd but he ballooned it over.

Squires Gate: Garrett, Ridings, Higham Staunton-Turner, Westwood Gourley, Haworth, Pollard, Pond, Ing, Boyd. Subs: Holden, Dodd,Taylor, Ramwell, Baldwin.