A LATE Stuart Vasey strike denied Kendal their first win of the season as Bamber Bridge took advantage of some slack finishing to leave the Lancaster and Morecambe College Stadium with a point.

Hitman Mark Jackson had given the Mintcakes a deserved 63rd minute but Vasey equalised with just four minutes left on the clock to secure a share of the spoils.

Kendal boss Dave Foster was forced to make five changes to the side beaten 2-1 by Padiham last Tuesday night.

Utility man Danny Wisdom has signed for Skelmersdale while the loss of Kieran Pickup, who was unavailable to play, allowed Isaac Kusoloka to make his full debut.

New goalkeeper David Stevenson was between the sticks while Reece Fishwick made his league debut on the right wing. John Ross came in at right-back for the injured Kieran Walmsley.

And it was Kendal who dominated much of the opening 45 minutes with the pace of Kusoloka causing problems for the Brig back four.

On the six minute mark Rob Wilson's smart header released the forward through the middle but his snapshot was deflected wide. Kusoloka had further chances after 20 minutes and on the stroke of half-time but he lacked a touch of composure in front of goal which meant the teams entered the tunnel level.

Brig skipper Matty Kay had their best chance of the half but his effort was deflected wide with Stevenson planted.

The home side came out of the blocks and started the second half strongly.

Kusoloka went close three more times but his first effort was poked just wide from Wilson's in-swinging cross after 53 minutes.

One minute later and Kusoloka thought he had finally found the back of the net - but his delicate chip was headed off the line by Glenn Steel after good work by Ross.

Moments later and neat footwork by Wilson saw Lydon Hodgkiss in space on the left. His low cross was flicked goalwards by Kusoloka but tipped around the post by visiting stopper Lee Dovey.

Steel then hacked away a Rory Winter's volley off the line before Jackson opened his goalscoring account for the league campaign.

Fishwick found himself in acres of space on the right and delivered a pin-point pass to the feet of Jackson who skipped inside his man and showed his deadly finishing capabilities by rifling low into the bottom right-hand corner.

Kendal had few chances to extend their lead and were made to pay for their early wastefulness on 86 minutes.

Their good work was undone when Craig Carney lost the ball in midfield. With no protection for the back four Vasey was played in behind Hodgkiss and the striker made no mistake to roll the ball under the onrushing Stevenson to give Bamber Bridge the equaliser.

The away side were pushing for a winner but Kendal's defence stood firm to secure a second draw of the season.