Ben Small enjoyed a return to the starting line-up whilst Matt Mathers was named as a sub alongside previously injured Chris Walton.

David Brown had an excellent chance to give Garforth an early lead. Paul Walker received the ball on the left from a clearance and fed it to Brown who charged into the area and beat Skelmersdale goalkeeper Sam Ashton but was ultimately dispossessed by captain Tom Hardwick.

On 14 mins Lawrance Hunter curled a free kick from the halfway line into the box, finding Rob Pacey who headed just over. Seven mins later a Milton Turner forward ball found Brown just outside the box who held off his marker and spread left to Walker who fired just over the bar.

The play was to be frequently broken up by the referee’s whistle, although happily no cards were ever shown in a fairly clean contest. On 25 mins a Skem free kick on the left was delivered into the box by Kenny Strickland but was held by Ben Higginson.

Turner almost grabbed his first Town goal since late October; an Oliver Hotchkiss free kick into the box was headed on by Pacey, Turner heading just over from a narrow angle. On 31 mins Small forced a good save from Ashton after picking up a loose ball about 20 yards out; his curling effort being palmed just over the bar.

Whilst Garforth probably shaded the first half, the home side also looked dangerous at times. A venturing run down the right and into the box by Benito Carbone-esque defender Lewis Field saw him find Anthony Hickey who shot just over from an acute angle.

The Lancashiremen enjoyed most of the possession in the first part of the second period. Town custodian Ben Higginson managed to survive a couple of embarrassing moments, being rescued by a resolute defence. Hard-working striker Tony Rendell made a storming run down the middle, played a one-two with Shaun Tuck and shot low from just outside the box. Higginson had it covered but the ball agonisingly squirmed through his legs and was booted off the line by captain Turner.

Town came more into the game after this point, striker Brown covered the pitch tirelessly throughout. By this time the next goal could be crucial. The introduction of Matt Mathers on 70'(for Hunter, by this time nicknamed “Ronaldo” by a home fan) added some momentum. Just before this an attack down the left wing saw Walker (also named “Twinkletoes” by the same fan) receive the ball from Hunter, beat two defenders and find Brown. The ball just wouldn’t go in; Brown’s shot through a crowded box was blocked and Walker also had a go after picking up the loose ball but his effort was safely gathered by Ashton.

At the other end on 72 mins a Hickey header from a free kick brought a save from Higginson. Five mins later Hickey was denied again after a dangerous attack down the left. The striker was played in by Tuck (?), but the Town custodian managed to superbly block his effort with his feet.

Sadly for us the home side’s defence weren’t giving much away either and on 78 and 79 mins Brown and Mathers were both denied at the eleventh hour by excellent defending.

One final scare for Town came on 83 mins when Higginson dropped Joe Evans’ right-wing ball about 6 yards out, the Town defence managing to clear the loose ball.

A contest which saw plenty of endeavour but also some solid defending, both teams in the end cancelling each other out. The Miners remain in 7th but have earned seven points from three away trips, an impressive return against tough opponents.