Winsford United drop further towards North West Counties League relegation zone following latest loss

They received a lesson in finishing from Maine Road, leaving new boss Lee Duckworth plenty to ponder.

And that after looking more likely scorers in the first half’s opening quarter.

Dale Jennings and Sam Cook both missed contact with Kyle Riley’s low centre, then Cook’s header from Danny Hudson’s cross flashed wide of the target.

Maine Road took the lead on 27 minutes, when unmarked Rory Breslin looped a header out of goalkeeper Dale Latham’s reach from Jack Lanford’s assist.

Blues’ custodian stretched fully to deny Matthew Morgan, though he could not intervene when winger Martin Hill’s cross was deflected into the net shortly afterwards.

A third goal arrived early in the second period, when substitute Jamie Roe was invited into a space from which he lifted the ball over Latham.

He was denied another when a teammate diverted his next attempt, then Latham thwarted Morgan again.

It merely delayed another score, this time when Langford speared a volley inside the near post to make it 4-0.

And the hosts went nap on 70 minutes when a corner from the left was met by another replacement, Josh Harper, with a header.

Blues’ attack was given pep by Sam Riley’s introduction, but too often his approach work concluded with wasteful finishing.

Winsford, beaten now in their past half-dozen matches in all competitions, are four points clear of the drop zone ahead of Monday’s meeting with sixth-placed AFC Liverpool at Barton Stadium.

Maine Road | Fielding (GK), Hulme, Tinker (Senior 52), Mason, Chatfield (Roe 21), Rutter, Hill, Breslin, Morgan, Hughes (Harper 65), Langford Sub not used Wilson Goals Breslin 27, Hill 34, Roe 48, Langford 56, Harper 70

Blues | Latham (GK), Michael Jones (Sam Riley 46), Duckworth, Howell, Davies, Eiselt, Rothwell, Jennings, Kyle Riley (Mellor 82), Cook (Taylor 61), Hudson Subs not used Hibbert, Seol Booked Michael Jones, Howell

Referee Mark Duncan (Warrington)

Attendance 130