Sudden Carling 2nd4

(Rochdale Online Alliance)

UNITED let a three-goal lead slip away as they were forced to settle for a share of the points in a game which they looked to have sewn up by half-time.

With a strong wind at their backs they were 3-0 ahead by then and looking to give some of the substitutes some valuable match time against a young and enthusiastic Sudden side.

Marc Walters set the ball rolling, putting United ahead from the spot after Mark Smith had been brought down for a penalty.

Smith hit two goals and United had a barrage of chances - including numerous one-on-ones with the visiting goalkeeper - but failed to take them.

After the teams turned around United struggled to even clear their own lines in the wind and they quickly pulled two goals back.

Jake Goldie was denied by a brilliant fingertip save from the Sudden goalkeeper and that save looked as if it could prove costly as Sudden levelled the scores.

Alan Took came off the sidelines and made an immediate impact, his first touch of the ball setting up a 25 yard strike which flew into the top corner to restore United's lead.

However, there was still time for a sting in the tail as Sudden scrambled a fourth goal and a share of the points.

- Todmorden Borough Veterans had a day to forget as they lost 9-1 at home to Castleton in Division two.

- Overnight rain washed out Woodhouse United's Rochdale Sunday League game at Broadway Celtic Reserves.