STONECLOUGH overcame the handicap of being a man down to rescue a vital point against Turton in their battle for Premier Division survival.

The Goldline Trophy runners-up trailed 2-0 at half-time after being outplayed by Neil Hart’s side.

They clawed their way back into it with a Nick Fisher header but their character was tested when midfielder John Borg was sent off with 20 minutes to go.

News that Eagley – one of their main rivals in the relegation battle – looked like salvaging a point in their game, inspired a rousing finale and Phil Hall’s goal 12 minutes from time completed the fightback.

Stoneclough travel to Vickerstown on Saturday looking for a repeat of the win they got their last season which clinched the Division One title. Turton seemed to be coasting it after fashioning two well-worked goals – Dave Burrows rifling them in front on 10 minutes and David Hanlon adding a second on the half hour. But, as on a number of occasions recently, they failed to press home their advantage.

Nevertheless, with seven games still to play and with the Richardson Cup final to look forward to on April 30, when they meet Dalton at the County Ground, Leyland, they still have their sights on finishing in the top half.

Eagley did, indeed, draw 3-3 at home to Haslingden St Mary’s in their final league match of the season.

But they also had to come from behind, Carl Banks scoring with two headers – the second five minutes from time – to claim what could turn out to be a precious point.

The teams were level at half-time after Lee Smith cancelled out Saints’ opener, but the visitors went 3-1 up after the break and looked to be coasting to victory before Banks used his head.

With just one team going down, both Stoneclough and Eagley appear to have enough points in the bag to avoid the drop. But Burnley United – seven points adrift at the bottom of the table – are launching a late rally and a 3-0 victory over Vickerstown on Saturday suggested that, with five games to play, they will not go down without a fight.

With promotion now secured, Tempest United have set their sights on going up as Division One champions.

Crooklands Casuals’ midweek defeat meant Tempest were assured their place in the Premier Division next season before they kicked off at home to bottom club Furness Rovers.

But they needed a stunning last-gasp strike from Michael Hall to scrape a 2-1 win.

Tempest were far from convincing, even after Andrew Morris had got them back on terms after the visitors had taken a shock lead. In fact, they had keeper Mark Allen to thank for a couple of outstanding saves that prevented Furness going 2-1 up themselves.

Nevertheless, the win keeps the Chew Moor outfit in the position of knowing their title ambitions are in their own hands.

Second-placed Lostock St Gerard’s are four points behind with a game in hand but if Tempest win their last two games they will go up as champions.