JUST when it seemed that the much interrupted amateur football season was back in full swing, another weekend was ruined by rain.

All but two Furness Premier League games were postponed and only two local sides played in the West Lancashire League.

The relegation battle in Division One was the main feature with Askam United and GSK Ulverston Rangers both picking up vital points. Rangers returned from Wyre Villa with a point from a goalless draw while Askam were held 1-1 at home by fellow strugglers Hurst Green.

The rain was constant throughout the game at Duddon Road, but the playing surface held up well, allowing Askam to get the ball down and play a neat passing game, in stark contrast to the visitors who tried to make the most of being physically bigger by playing a more direct style.

A Hurst Green corner caused an early scare coming back off the bar as they started at a high tempo with the wind and rain at their backs. Askam’s makeshift back four was well marshalled by Craig Moore and Askam threatened with a couple of shots from distance from talisman Callum Rayner, but it remained scoreless at the break.

Askam keeper Phil Postlethwaite made a good save early in the second half but the visitors took the lead in the 51st minute following a goalmouth scamble after a corner wasn’t cleared. Askam started pushing Hurst Green back but they were unable to fashion any clear cut chances until the 68th minute when a Huw Barton cross almost caught the away keeper out. But he managed to palm the ball away and from a tight angle Kyle Jefferson put the follow-up into the side-netting.

The game was very tense and got fractious at times with the referee having to speak to players from both sides following an off-the-ball incident. The tackles were flying in with Callum Rayner coming in for a lot of attention. Eventually the foul count cost Hurst Green as Askam got a deserved equaliser with just two minutes remaining.

From a free-kick the ball was put into the box and Jordan Rayner fired home to spark celebrations in the home camp.

There was just time for sub Brad Jackson to go close with a shot from 25 yards but in the end a draw was probably a fair result.

The point keeps Askam 12th place in the table on 19 points, one point ahead of Mill Hill St. Peters who currently occupy the second relegation place.

However, Hurst Green, GSK Ulverston Rangers and Lytham Town are not safe, all sitting on 22 points.

Bottom club Dalton United have a lot of work to do, they are on 11 points and have six games left.

Of the two Furness Premier League games played one was in the Rifleman’s Garage Premier Division on Friday night at Rampside Road where Askam United reserves beat Furness Cavaliers reserves 4-2.

The conditions weren’t too bad when the match started but the pitch was a quagmire at the end.

Askam were 2-0 up after five minutes and led 4-0 at half-time through Joe Kavanagh, 2, Declan Kell and Kailym Shepherd. Cavs mounted a comeback in the second half, scoring through a Scott Linklater penalty and Rob Sneesby.

It might have been an interesting last 10 minutes but Askam keeper Stu Neillands saved Linklater’s second penalty of the evening.

Despite being reduced to 10 men when Matty Priestley was sent off Askam managed to see out the rest of the game, even in the fading light.

The only game on Saturday was in Premier Tiles Division One as Haverigg United reserves moved out of the bottom two by beating Holker Old Boys A 5-2 at Wilson Park.

Martin Scott scored a hat-trick with Peter Bateman and Warren Lowe also on target while James Curtis and Jamie Cowan replied for Holker.