Winnington Park 1 Lytham St Anne’s 2

BATTLING Winnington gave Lytham St Anne’s a shock on Saturday but the unbeaten visitors still escaped with maximum points.

Man of the match John-Paul Dodd did not look like conceding during a hard-fought first half at Sir John Deane’s.

And it was the determined hosts who dominated affairs and should have taken the lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke after a crude challenge on Simon Livingston.

Livingston stepped up to strike the ball hard and low only to see his shot saved by the keeper.

After the break, Andrew Birdsey gave Park a deserved lead firing home into the top corner following an impressive run and reverse pass from Peter Evans.

But hopes of securing a memorable win started to waver after Dennis Topping was ordered off following a mistimed challenge.

Lytham soon equalised and then took the lead through a well worked short corner.

Frustrated Park continued to battle on but were soon down to eight men after Alastair Buckle and Livingston were sin-binned and with them went Park’s chances of salvaging a point.

Other scores: Neston South Wirral 3rds 2 Park 2nds 6 (Pinson 2, Dodd, Berrington, Wilson, Stackhouse); Park 3rds 1 NSW 4ths 5 (Mottershaw); Chester 6ths 2 Park 4ths 3 (Sambell 2, Sanderson).

On Saturday, Park travel to Didsbury Northern, the seconds host Bramhall seconds at SJDs (2pm start), the thirds head to Bramhall and the fourths host Lymm thirds (3.30pm start).

Winnington Park Ladies 5 Oxton Ladies 1: Winnington hit the top of Cheshire League Division One on Saturday with a convincing victory.

A brace from Sonia Cross and a Julie Dunn strike set up Park’s win which was dominated by the hosts defence, Helen Egerton impressing in goal.

The seconds meanwhile had a difficult afternoon losing 7-0 at home to Northop Hall.

On Saturday, the Ladies first team host Wrexham while the seconds travel to Buckley.