WITH regular goalkeeper Mark Thornley ruled out with a thigh strain boss Tony Hesketh drafted in 21-year-old Ryan Robinson to the side as Kendal played well in a 2-2 draw against third-placed Brigg Town.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Southend stopper did little wrong on his debut and Hesketh is monitoring the player's availability closely as he continues talks with Morecambe.

Kendal made a purposeful start with the recalled popular veteran Peter Smith making his presence felt with numerous searching charges down the right.

And Kendal carved out an opening 12th-minute goal when the trusty left foot of centre half Nigel Taylor picked out the head of captain Kenny Mayers and David FOSTER'S outstretched leg just did enough to steer the ball wide of Brigg goalkeeper Damien Steer, making it 1-0.

Unfortunately the lead was short-lived as the visitors drew level just a minute later when Stuart Ainsley's 20-yard shot took a wicked deflection past the helpless Robinson.

Kendal survived an anxious moment on 22 minutes when Brigg's Ian Ward fell to ground inside the area following a tangle with Smith but the referee ruled the incident to be accidental and continued play.

The remainder of the half saw Kendal dominate, but after creating several goal-scoring chances they were unable to restore their lead before the interval.

The best of those chances fell to Mayers, who was clearly dissappointed to see his header go over the bar following an excellent Paul Rigby cross from the right.

Impressive Ricky Mercer was desperately unlucky not to score on 50 minutes when keeper Steer tipped his close-range header over for a corner. Two minutes later MERCER earned his reward to put Kendal in front again when he finished off a fine move with a low finish inside Steer's far post.

A strong Brigg side always looked capable of replying and they drew level on the hour courtesy of a header from sub Simon Roach.

Kendal piled on the pressure looking for a match-winning goal but in the end had to settle for a hard-earned point.

Ratings: Robinson 7, Rigby 7, McMenemy 7, Whittal-Williams 7, Taylor 7, Mercer 8, Smith 7, McKenna 7, Foster 7, Mayers 7, Woodruffe 7. Subs: Burrow unused; Jack 7 for Foster 84min; Sheppard 7 for McMenemy 66min. Att 157.