Lancaster City earn point on the road at FC United of Manchester

Lancaster City played out a lively goalless draw with FC United of Manchester in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

There were three changes to Jimmy Marshall's side, as Jules Flanagan, Nathan Caine and Dom Lawson returned to the starting XI.

The game had a fairly quiet opening, however that was interrupted just after the 10th minute mark as Brad Kelly was called into action for the first time, pushing away a long range effort from Jordan Buckley.

The Dollies replied with an effort of their own, as Nathan Caine ghosted through the midfield but could only roll his effort wide of the bottom right corner.

Dom Lawson was the next to come close for the Dollies, after touching the ball past his defender he got a low shot off, but it crept just inches wide of the bottom right corner.

That saw the Dollies come to life as Jules Flanagan tore down the right hand side as we edged closer to the half time break. A defensive clearance landed in front of Dylan Moonan who took on the first time volley, smashing it into the crowd behind the goal.

A couple of minutes before the interval, Charlie Bailey came mightily close to breaking the deadlock but his effort screamed just wide of the bottom right corner.

Disaster seemed to have struck just seven minutes after half time, as Toby Oliver was penalised for a clumsy challenge on Buckley in the penalty area, prompting the referee to point to the penalty spot.

However the Dollies were handed a lifeline, after Dec Evans dragged the spot kick wide, clipping the outside of the post.

The home side kept up their momentum, but Ruben Grewal saw his 20 yard effort bend just inches away from goal with 25 minutes left to play.

Marshall went to his bench on four separate occasions, as James Bailey, James Nolan, Sidi Fofana and returning from injury, Lewis Mansell came on to impact proceedings.

The striker helped with a late Lancaster surge as the Dollies searched for late winner. As stoppage time began, Mansell tried his luck from 20 yards, but his effort fell comfortably into the arms of Dan Atherton.

In the closing stages, the attacker was fouled by the dugouts, giving the Dollies one final chance to get the ball into the danger zone.

Nolan delivered and Kyle Brownhill managed to direct the loose ball towards the bottom right corner. However Atherton promptly pounced, with the full time whistle sounding immediately after.

FC United of Manchester: Atherton, Kirkpatrick (Fearnley 49'), Devine, Wisdom, Sudworth, Evans, Watson (Le Fondre 71'), Harris, Donohue, Buckley, Chimalilo

Lancaster City: Kelly, Flanagan, Brownhill, Amison, Oliver, D.Moonan, Tweedley, Caine (Nolan 73'), Evangelinos (Mansell 76'), Lawson (Fofana 85'), C.Bailey (J.Bailey 68')