SKEM DEPART WITH DIGNITY

HONOURS were even in the sun as Skelmersdale bowed out of the Premier Division with a deserved point.

They took the lead with a superb drop shot from Bevan Burey in the eighth minute but Stafford equalised late on through Levi Reid.

Stafford probably had more of the possession but Skelmersdale had at least as many chances.

The Skem goal came from a cross. The ball wasn’t cleared and dropped to Burey on the left of the penalty area. He hooked a right-foot shot over goalkeeper Adam Whitehouse.

Good chances were at a premium. Stafford’s best fell to Kyle Perry bu, although he lifted the ball over home goalkeeper Joe Hilton, the ball dropped just wide. Stafford put the pressure on after the interval but didn’t generate much.

Skem had one great opening, but Whitehouse made a fine save from Remy Howarth.

Reid levelled matters when the substitute ran on to Perry’s overhead kick and slammed the ball past Hilton.

Hilton was sharp in pulling off a double reaction save from Perry headers on 84 minutes and Burey put an angled drive wide from 15 yards at the other end in the latter stages. Bbut a draw was the fair outcome.