ALSAGER Town's hopes of making a quick return to the top five were surprisingly dashed at Atherton Collieries on Monday night.

Town were determined to bounce back from Saturday's home defeat by title-chasing Mossley but they again went down 1-0 as the basement boys registered only their sixth league win of the season.

Saturday's clash attracted a crowd of more than 200 to Wood Park.

Greg Clowes's side had their fair share of chances in an entertaining game but a deflected shot from Chris Downey 10 minutes from time helped Mossley maintain their championship charge.

Alsager's back line stood firm during the opening half, with Steve Tobin coming closest to opening the scoring for the visitors after good work by Ryan's brother Rhodri Giggs and Josh Howard.

But Alsager carved out openings of their own and Will Hurley and Andy Kinsey went close, and it took a fine save from Phil Melville to keep out a header from top scorer Kinsey in the 71st minute.

But Mossley made the all-important breakthrough when Tobin sent Downey clear and his effort deflected off central defender Wayne Brotherton and past goalkeeper Rob Powner, putting another three points towards their title aspirations.

'It was a good game but they pinched a win they didn't deserve,' said Clowes. 'We played very well and the lads were gutted.'

Alsager are back in action at Wood Park this Saturday when they host Skelmersdale United.

NANTWICH Town looked a shadow of the side that dished out a 3-0 midweek hammering to Newcastle as they slumped to their fourth defeat in their last six home games, writes Michael Chatwin.

In an end-to-end game, the Dabbers were sunk by the Fishermen from the Fylde coast who netted a three-goal haul thanks to their sharper finishing.

A sluggish home defence was caught out by Frank Cygal's high ball and ace marksman Lee Catlow nipped in to lob Fleet-wood into a 10th-minute lead.

Ashley Lawton could have levelled the scores after shrugging off Paul Cook, but his shot drifted across the face of the goal.

Visiting keeper Andy Banks comfortably dealt with Melford Knight's header as Nantwich started to dominate play.

Then Knight cleverly put Danny Griggs through but Banks again came to the visitors' rescue, saving well with his legs. Dabbers new boy Nathan Comley-Excell miscued when well-placed while Lawton twice shot over the bar after latching on to long balls.

At the other end, Tim Alexander cleared off the line when it looked as though Dean Cooper would extend the lead.

Fleetwood came out strongly after the interval and Dale Melling was on hand to deny Cooper with a well-timed tackle, but the Fishermen made it 2-0 on 52 minutes.

A slick flick by Catlow set Lenny Reid free on the left and his low cross was neatly struck home by Nathan Pond.

Catlow had a gilt-edged chance to make it 3-0 but he headed feebly when well placed.

But Fleetwood sealed victory when Stuart Heeps mistimed a charge out of goal and the marauding Cooper beat the home keeper to the ball and rounded him before striking home.

'We under-performed in front of goal,' admitted manager Nigel Gleghorn. They took almost all their chances while the chances we made and missed must have been in double figures.'

Nantwich were at league leaders Clitheroe last night and visit basement boys Atherton Collieries on Saturday.