Rangers entered this years FA cup with only Ross Haywood short of a full compliment of players. The trip across the Pennines to Daisy Hill in Bolton from the North West Counties League on a dreary wet Saturday for Rangers third game of the season.

Rangers playing in red could have taken the lead inside 30 seconds when Rob Northen in his first start of the season was sent through, but his shot was a comfortable height for the keeper to parry away.

Northen made no mistake on 3mins when a good run by Whitehouse provided a cross that the striker fired home on the half volley. 0-1

Then the rain came. If the weather made it uncomfortable for the supporters, Rangers were making the most of the play. Whitehouse made the keeper work hard with a shot on 17mins that he collected at the second attempt. Two minutes later Clarke tried one from range that curled wide of the post.

Daisy Hill didn’t venture into the Rangers box until the 25 minute which Winterton dealt with comfortably.

On 27 mins Northen could have made it two when a ball found him on the edge of the six yard box, his turn and shot was well saved by Steve Whittle one handed. Although Rangers were dominant is saw a somewhat stilted performance. Holt and Northen had a half chance each on 34 and 40 mins.

Daisy Hill then nearly sneaked an equaliser on 42mins. When a quickly taken free kick from the left out to the right had Rangers stretched. The ball in to the near had a shot that Atkinson had to clear off the line.

But Rangers responded with a through ball that sent Holt one on one, he first shot was well saved but he reacted quickest and looked bound to score but with the keeper scrambling shot wide of the far post, with Northen free square.

Half Time 0-1

The rain eased as the second half started, and Daisy Hill started brightly with a shot from 25 yards that went wide of Simpson’s right post. Rangers again started to dominate without playing well. Holt flashed a flicked header from a corner across the face on 50mins, Danny Clarke started to make driving runs into the box, on 53 he felt he was fouled in the box with a raised leg but it was waved away. A minute later another run into the box saw him fire across the face when he hesitated to shoot on first touch.

On 60mins a rangers break had Northen running at the centre back only to be brought down on the halfway line, the ref played on as Clarke took the ball to the edge of the box before cutting back and rifling his shot against the bar.

Daisy hill were starting to come more into the game with a few crosses that were starting to make the visitors a little nervous. Even though chances were being created at the other end.

On 74minutes yet another ranger’s break was brought up short by another trip about 30 yards out. The free kick by Catton on the right to the far post was perfectly placed on Rangers sub Scott Phillips head but his free header crashed against the far post and away.

With ten minutes to go and with all Rangers spurned chances behind and you had the feeling that Daisy Hill mighty sneak a goal. On 81 mins a free kick on the left to the far post was met by full back Martin Irvine but his goal ward shot was well smothered by Simpson.

Rangers again should have made the tie safe on 84mins. Another free kick outside the box was this time blocked away, the ball back in found Rob Northen wide open but he rifled his shot against the crossbar and Catton fired the deflection wide.

On 87mins Rangers still pressing won a corner. The ball in was headed down to Catton who fired home what should have been the decider, but the ref, Miss Everson saw a block on the keeper???? And disallowed it. Daisy Hill fired the ball downfield immediately; Ricardo misjudged a header that sent the striker through. There seemed to be enough defenders with him to make a tackle but none came leaving Simpson exposed. The striker low and in close to Simpson’s legs. A poor goal that forced this game to replayed.

Final Score 1-1

Winterton played poorly today but still managed to create a hatful of chances and should have won by a country mile.