Bamber Bridge’s eight match unbeaten run came to an end at Broadhurst Park, home of FC United of Manchester on Tuesday evening. Beaten by a Brad Holmes goal midway through the 2nd half. Harsh on Brig who had put in a good performance in a real end to end battle.

Bamber Bridge manager Jamie Milligan named an unchanged starting line up following Saturday's thrilling win at Scarborough. The Match started at a frenetic pace. FC United were first out of the blocks and Brig keeper Hewelt saved well in the 4th minute, the ball cannoning back off the FC forward and out to safety. Brig responded and forced a couple of corners before Ewan Bange saw a shot from the edge of the area blocked and cleared.

The game swung from end to end with both sides playing at a tremendous pace. Ex Brig legend Ali Waddecar, playing wide on the right, delivered a cross from the right but that was headed out for a corner. Rob Apter and Ewan Bange then exchanged passes just outside the penalty area but FC cleared before Ewan Bange could get a shot away. Moments later and a Rob Apter run down the right wing was halted as he cut inside and was tripped as he approached the 18 yard box. The free Kick was headed clear and within seconds FC had a corner at the far end.

Rob Apter then played a superb ball through to Isaac Sinclair, but the Brig wide man had strayed just offside. At the other end Brig cleared two further corners before almost taking the lead right on half time. Superb footwork from Mark Yeates saw him side step a challenge before sliding the ball towards Ewan Bange. The Brig striker struck the ball first time and it flashed just inches over the bar. That was the last action of a helter skelter half.

The second half stared just as the first had ended, with FC United fizzing the ball around but still neither side having any prolonged spells of pressure. Hewelt in goal for Brig came to the rescue soon after the restart making a fine save from a 25 yard free kick, back at the other end and a Brig corner was only half cleared, another ex Brigger, Adam Dodd, sliding in to knock it out for a further corner before any Brig player could pounce.

More Brig pressure saw a superb Mark Yeates pass release Isaac Sinclair down the left, As he shaped to shoot the FC right back got to the ball first to put it out for another corner. The corner found Ewan Bange who turned and shot from 15 yards, the home keeper diving low to make a comfortable save.

On 64 minutes the 1st substitution of the game saw FC replace Ali Waddecar, who received a terrific ovation from the Brig supporters in the ground. The game was still end to end but both sides just lacking composure when chances arose. On 70 minutes both managers made further changes, For FC, Manager Neil (Reno) Reynolds brought on yet another ex Brigger, Regan Linney whilst Jamie Milligan made a change bringing on Sheldon Green for Rob Apter. The Blackpool loanee did not look too happy with that decision.

Two minutes later FC United thought they had taken the lead, the linesman coming to Brigs rescue to disallow the goal for offside. The home side didn’t have to wait much longer however, With 74 minutes gone, the FCUM spurred on by the home fans following the disallowed effort scored the deciding goal. As Brig were frantically trying to make a further change, A long ball from left to right was knocked back across the goal area where Holmes connected for FC to drill a low shot into the back of the net.

Brig certainly didn’t deserve to be behind but the pressure had been building for several minutes. Bamber Bridge responded and Harvey Gregson brought a fine save out of the home keeper as he drilled a low shot from 15 yards, the keeper diving to his left to turn the ball around the post for a corner. Two more Brig substitutions saw Ewan Bange and Mark Yeates replaced by Ryan White and Matt Dudley.

Try as they might, Brig were finding the FCUM back line a tough nut to crack, as the home sides defence always seemed to get to the ball first as the visitors pressed for the equaliser. FCUM were still looking to add to their goal and only a goal-line clearance kept the score at 1-0.

With the game entering 3 minutes of added time Harvey Gregson watched on as his 20 yard shot flashed just wide of the post with the keeper diving across his goal. That was the last action of the match and the final whistle was greeted with a tremendous roar from the home support.

So, the unbeaten 8 match run is at an end. But Bamber Bridge can consider themselves unlucky not to be leaving Broadhurst Park with a point. A Frantic game with both sides giving their all and an entertaining if ultimately frustrating match for the Lancashire visitors.

Full time: FC United Of Manchester – 1 Bamber Bridge – 0

Bamber Bridge: Hewelt, Thompson, Higham, Spooner (Capt.), Gourley, Gregson, Apter, Boyle, Bange, Yeates, Sinclair

Subs: Churchman, Green, Dudley, Carney, White

Att: 1,525

Match reporter: Alan Bateson