ALTRINCHAM Kersal first XV drew 11-11 in their crunch North One West relegation battle at Carlisle last weekend.

It was a close-run and feisty affair and with so much at stake for both clubs, the match ended honours even with the travelling supporters enduring a nail-biting and tense final 10 minutes, in which Carlisle thought they had secured the critical winning points when they led 11-6.

But Kersal manufactured a last-gasp push for the line and stoically squeezed in a try in the far corner to force the draw.

Both teams now need nothing but victories from the last two games to avoid the drop.

Elsewhere, Kersal thirds lost by just two points, 17-15, at Stockport.

This weekend the firsts host Douglas (IoM), kick off 1.45pm, while the second XV travel to Bowdon and the thirds visit Heaton Moor seconds, both 3pm kick off.