Bamber Bridge returned form a long Tuesday evening visit to the North East with a well earned point following the 1-1 draw at Craik Park, home of the Highwaymen of Morpeth Town. But for the heroics of the home keeper, Brig would have returned with all 3 points, The Morpeth stopper making one of two outstanding saves deep into injury time to deny Brig goalscorer Fin Sinclair-Smith a brace and what would have been the winning goal.

Bamber Bridge started the game is superb fashion, sweeping the ball around the 3g pitch with pace and purpose. It took just four minutes to test the home keeper. Fin Sinclair-Smith striking a low shot from the edge of the penalty area towards the keepers left hand post, it looked in all the way only for the outstretched hand of the keeper at full stretch to push the ball to safety. Brig continued to dominate the early stages, sweeping the ball from right to left. Oli Patrick making his full Brig debut swung acroos two superb right wing crosses that caused panic in the home defence.

Morpeth looked dangerous on the break and their more direct style gave Brig much to think about defensively. It was Brig doing most of the attacking though with Fin the focal point of most of the Bamber Bridge attacks, on 20 minutes he cut inside from the left before striking a low 15 yard shot, the keeper getting down well to save.

However, as we all know, Football can change in an instant, and that instant arrived on 21 minutes, Oli Patrick who had started really well, slipped on the wet surface, the Town forward took advantage racing in to the space left behind by the Brig right back, the ball was squared from the edge of the area and slammed passed Felix in the Brig goal to give the hosts a fortunate lead.

Brig responded well and Fin again was unlucky has he surged into the area, this time from the right and saw his goal bound shot deflected wide for a corner. Danny Forbes was next to try his luck, striking a firm drive from 20 yards but it was straight at the keeper who saved comfortably. Minutes later and Sheldon Green was next to be denied as his effort was again deflected behind the goal for another Bamber Bridge corner.

As the half entered the last 10 minutes the home side began to come more into the match and had a spell of pressure, pushing the visitors back and forcing a series of corners, all well defended by the Lancashire visitors. From one corner, Matt Thomson sliced his clearance and was fortunate to see the ball flash wide after striking the outside of the post. Nathan Pond received a yellow card for a robust challenge as Brig looked to get to the break with just the one goal deficit.

The second half began in similar fashion with The Highwaymen getting on top in the opening 10 minutes of the half. Brig started to force their way back in to the contest and Fin watched from the right as his driven waist height cross fizzed across the 6 yard box and out for a throw in at the far side. Millie made a change with the game approaching the hour mark, Kade Ratchford making way for Noah Alabi. Noah’s time on the pitch however was to be short-lived when just two minutes later he took a blow to face from an accidental challenge and was unable to continue. Vaughn Green replacing the unfortunate Brig midfielder.

The young ex North End player was immediately involved as his superb touch on the edge of the area set Fin free into the box, his shot under a defensive challenge was straight at the keeper who palmed it down before before diving on the ball.

On 70 minutes, the match swung in Brigs favour as Morpeth Town were reduced to 10 men. The referee seeing the challenge by Henderson on Danny Forbes as serious foul play and producing the red card. In fairness it looked a harsh decision.

Bamber Bridge took advantage and just 5 minutes later scored the equaliser. Man of the match Fin Sinclair-Smith received a great ball from Matt Thomson on the edge of the box and with a superb "Cruyff" turn he left the defender in his wake as he strode in to the area before planting the ball in to the bottom corner of the net, much to the delight of the 4 Brig fans packed behind the goal !! It was no more than Brig deserved and with the home side begining to tire it was Brig who were to finish the stronger.

Wil Riding replaced Sheldon Green on 80 minutes as Brig poured forward looking for the winner. The home side looking to slow the play down at every opportunity. The chance arrived for Bamber Bridge deep into stoppage time and inevitably it was Fin again, crashing a low drive towards the keepers bottom left hand post, The keeper flung himself across goal and made another stunning save tipping the ball around the post leaving Fin stood with hands on his head in disbelief.

The full time whistle arrived and Brig returned to Lancashire with a much deserved and well earned point. The Manager and coaching staff felt it should have been 3 points but they were pleased with the performance, as were the supporters who made their way back to the coach for the three and a half hour journey home.

Morpeth is a difficult place to go, given the distance involved, the Plastic pitch and it being a Tuesday evening. A good point and a good trip. We move on to Macclesfield FC this weekend in the FA Trophy in what will be an equally difficult match.

Full Time: Morpeth Town – 1 Bamber Bridge – 1

Bamber bridge: Goddard, Patrick, Thomson, Skinner, Wilson ©, Pond, Green (S), Perkins, Sinclair-Smith, Forbes, Ratchford

Substitutes: Alabi, Riding, Green (V)

Att: 374