MECHANICS loosened the nuts and bolts of Winsford's promotion challenge on Saturday.
Yet at times United played some excellent football and only a combination of the woodwork, desperate defending and some shoddy finishing prevented them registering a comfortable victory.
Mechanics, who have stormed up the North West Counties League First Division table, were under pressure for most of their game and their victory seems only to confirm their status of being United's bogey team rather than displaying their strengths on the football field.
A bullet header from Neil Marsh in the sixth minute was blocked on the line and a goalbound shot from Chris Melia was spectacularly cleared by Mechanics' captain Mark Moretti.
So it was against the run of play when a Blackpool corner fell to the unmarked Stuart Booth who drilled home his shot through a crowded box.
Central defender Marsh was inches wide of the post in the 33rd minute and as half time loomed the visitors had two remarkable escapes - when Rob Hopley's header from two yards out somehow cleared the bar and seconds later his spectacular overhead kick was tipped over by David Stevenson.
However, another corner led to Mechanics' second goal in the 51st minute by Dean Sutton.
The introduction of Leon Sturridge and Kieron Durkan gave the Blues added impetus and the former came close to scoring with his first touch when Hopley's shot hit the bar and Sturridge's blast from the rebound was once again cleared off the line.
Marsh scored on 67 minutes when his header from Stanton's corner was so powerful even the defenders on the line could not keep it out and Winsford looked certain to equalise on 69 minutes when Durkan's shot was palmed away for a corner by Stevenson and the resulting cross was headed over an open goal by Melia.
The Blues pressed to the end, but found Stevenson unbeatable. UNITED: Clare; Robinson, Chambers, Marsh, Stanton; Melia, Quinn, Hughes, Wellstead (Sturridge 64); Hopley, Arnold (Durkan 68).
Att: 104 Star Man: Neil Marsh, stopped danger - and caused it!
Next Best: Mark Quinn Team Rating: 3 Match rating: 3
