FC United 2 Bamber Bridge 2

3/ 3/2008

FC UNITED'S hopes of a third successive league title suffered a body-blow as they were held by UniBond Division One North promotion foes Bamber Bridge in front of a Gigg Lane crowd of 3,348.

But it would have been worse for fifth-placed FC, whose offer of free admission to under-18s resulted in a bumper attendance, had Chris Baguley not saved their bacon with a spectacular injury-time equaliser.

Baguley struck from 30 yards to rescue a point for the Rebels after they had twice trailed to Alex Porter goals, the second of which arrived with just a minute left on the clock.

Simon Carden netted FC's first equaliser, firing home from close-range, but they were staring defeat in the face when Baguley salvaged a draw which means they now trail the top two, Skelmersdale and Curzon Ashton, by 11 points.

But FC United have been reinstated to the UniBond League President's Cup after their quarter-final conquerors Nantwich were thrown out for fielding an ineligible player in their 5-1 victory.

Karl Marginson's men will now visit Goole in the semis on Saturday.