Winsford United 2, Holker Old Boys 1: BLUES continued their late assault on possible promotion with an injury-time win thanks to a fine finish by super-sub Chris Webber at the Barton Stadium on Saturday.
Mark Quinn's inch-perfect ball down the right was picked up by local boy Webber and, after taking it to the edge of the area, he unleashed a shot so powerful that although visiting keeper Paul Hewson got both hands to it, he could not prevent it going into the bottom-right corner of the net.
Holker's tactics with the wind behind them in the second half were to unleash long balls down-field which almost invariably finished in the welcome hands of the Blues keeper Barry Crellin.
Winsford made the better start with Gareth Boldsworth and Quinn going close with long-range efforts, but it was the visitors who took the lead in the 32nd minute. A through ball left the Blues defence flat-footed and David Swarbrick shot under the advancing Crellin.
One minute later, Winsford were level; good work by Chris Melia saw his cross find Neil Harrison on the far side of the goal. His right foot is usually used just for standing on but he turned and fired home with his unaccustomed peg.
The 43rd minute saw a player from each side dismissed following an incident that might be described by the football cliché of 'handbags'.
Referee Mycock had his attention drawn to the incident by his assistant and, after long consultation, he gave Danny Frost and Holker's Graham their marching orders, much to everyone's surprise.
Another decision by Mr Mycock in the 43rd minute had the home fans gasping in disbelief. Melia showed exceptional skill in beating two defenders in the area, only to have his legs taken from under him as he was about to shoot, with the young referee waving away the penalty appeals.
Winsford dominated the second half without really threatening the goal and efforts from Stuart Wellstead and Ian Givin might have counted on another day, but each time they brought saves from Hewson.
Just when United looked to be heading for a share of the points, a touch of Quinn magic and a great finish by Weller gave the Blues the three points they deserved.
