BLACKHEATH 1 LUFFS 1 (24/1/04) IT WAS all change at the bottom of the league as the threatened clubs jostled for position but a point away from home was enough to keep the Luffs second from bottom. This was a good performance by Loughborough, for forty five minutes they were involved in a very technical football match as two different systems gave both sides a lot to think about, and they deserved their point and but for a short lapse in concentration could have won the game. Yet another striker made his debut for the Luffs, the Nottingham lad Stephen Rudge gave a good account of himself on his debut. Blackheath were first to threaten as Briggs tested 'keeper Springthorpe from distance followed closely by an attempt to beat the in form keeper by Rush but both efforts were taken cleanly. Matt Kearns had the first effort on goal for Loughborough but keeper Kirby saved well. Loughborough's new man Rudge soon got a taste for it and showed a very positive approach to attacking and twice turned his marker to warm the hands of Kirby. Loughborough developed a good period of pressure on the Black Country side and thought they had taken the lead as Ian Stevenson's free kick whistled over the bar and followed this up with a Carl Springthorpe free kick which Kirby was at full stretch to push round the post. It was good stuff from a rejuvenated Loughborough side whose approach and spirit has improved dramatically over the past few weeks. Stevenson swung a corner in which Kirby punched clear, Rudge shot Kirby saved, for half an hour of the first half the Luffs were in command but just couldn't make it pay. There was a late revival from Blackheath, Carl Springthorpe mad a timely tackle and when Butchers shot loot destined for the top corner brother Paul flew through the air to palm it to safety and it was 0-0 at half time. The second half began badly for The Luffs, an inswinging corner hung around the near post just that bit too long and eventually Butcher poked it on the net from close range and Blackheath were in front after a minute of the second half. For a while The Luffs were rocked and 'keeper Springthorpe had his busiest moments of the game but the defence did its job and eventually the Loughborough side got themselves back into contention. Tom Belton set up Stephen Rudge who found the side netting - it was an interesting front line combination while Carl Springthorpe went on a surging run from the back to eventually test keeper Kirby with a long shot. Loughborough deserved their equaliser, Kearns delivered the through ball and Tom Belton showed a turn of pace to hoist the ball over Kirby's head from outside the box and it was level pegging. It has to be said that both sides fancied the win the nearest the Luffs came was a cross from Rudge which nearly connected with Belton's head while at the other end defensive performances from the two youngsters Matt Watkiss and Sean Hogan blotted out Blackheath's persistence. In the end the honours were shared and The Luffs returned to the East Midlands rightly pleased with a good performance and an away point to show for it. This Saturday sees the Luffs back at The Drome and back to a 2.45 PM kick off as the days grow longer. The opposition from the centre of Birmingham are Thimblemill, going well this season but this is the team who can score goals for fun but generally has a scant regard for defending, it could be an interesting game. TEAM:  Paul SPRINGTHORPE, Matt WATKISS, Ian STEVENSON, Carl SPRINGTHORPE, Sean HOGAN, Michael MULLIGAN, Adam BARRIGAN, Matt KEARNS, Gareth ROGERS, Steve RUDGE, Joe MULLIGAN  SUBS:  Tom BELTON, Sol MORINA SCORERS:  Tom BELTON ATT: N/A HT: 0-0