Nantwich 1, Colne 0: A LAST-GASP winner from Danny Griggs ensured the Dabbers' promotion bandwagon continued to roll on apace.
Another wonderful result for Steve Davis and his men came after back-to-back 5-0 victories, but the latest success on Saturday will mean the most.
The Lancashire side are serious contenders in Division One and, had they not had six points deducted by the league after fielding an ineligible player, they would be would be fourth in the table.
But as it is, the Dabbers are streaking away from them, lying third and holding three in games in hand on Newcastle Town, who are just two points ahead.
In truth, the sides were evenly matched at Jackson Avenue. The evergreen John Scarlett came close in the goalless first half when he hooked a shot over the bar, but the visitors had the best early chance when player-boss Davis had to bravely deflect a goal-bound effort for a corner.
After the break Scarlett clipped the ball wide of the target and, at the other end, Rob Hackney was forced into action when Colne skipper Scott Gizon fizzed in a 20 yard drive.
Opportunities were at a premium but Matty Houldsworth headed off the visitors' goal-line after Matt Blake had neatly looped the ball over the keeper.
Blake then had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock on 75 minutes, but he failed to make a sound connection when Griggs pulled the ball back from the byline.
The all-important goal came three minutes from time when Adam Beasley played the ball into the danger area. A furious scramble ensued and, when the ball bounced off the upright, Griggs was on hand to tuck it home.
Davis said: 'It was a game of few chances, but what a battle. With time ticking away I would have been happy with a point, but it shows what spirit we have in the team to battle right to the end to win it.
'It was a big win for us. After the break we went 4-3-3 because I thought we might as well go for it. It was a brave decision which paid of for us.'
Alsager Town notched four points out of six in a productive week. Defender Ryan Dicker got the decisive goal after 27 minutes of the 1-0 win at Trafford in midweek, but a 0-0 draw at Abbey Hey on Saturday was slightly disappointing.
Town were made to rue missed chances in a very physical game. Matt Gregory had a goal disallowed after four minutes, while Chris Budrys saw a header cleared off the line, and another flashed by the post in the second half.
Further unsuccessful efforts came from Richard Mitchell, Peter Heler and Carl Espley, while the hosts only managed one clear opportunity, when Espley had to clear from the line after a fine header.
After that Alsager had two more efforts cleared off the line before their keeper Phil McGing pulled off an outstanding save. In the final minute Wayne Brotherton just failed to connect with a Gregory free-kick.
Manager Greg Clowes said: 'Al-though it was scoreless it was an entertaining game. They defended very well, while we need to do better.'
Nantwich Town Reserves extended their unbeaten run to six games with a 3-3 draw at Colne. A double from James Beeson and a Neil O'Brien strike looked set to clinch a win, but the hosts levelled with the last kick of the game. Boss Alan Cooper said: 'The lads did exceptionally well but we need to concentrate for 90-plus minutes.'
