WINSFORD United extended a winning sequence in the league to four matches after coming from behind to beat Irlam on Saturday.

Blues close to within two points of a position in the Premier Division table’s top half as a reward.

“That’s where we want to be,” said player-manager Lee Duckworth.

“I’ve always believed we have the quality to put a run together once we had everybody available again.

“It was a scrap at the weekend, and we had to adjust to a tricky playing surface, but once we equalised I was confident we’d go on to collect the three points.”

He included goalkeeper Matthew Green from the start for the first time with Andy Jones unavailable, while Josh Perry made his North West Counties League debut at full-back following Caldon Henson’s return to Mossley.

Irlam started better, and Christian Lawlor ought to have put the hosts ahead inside 60 seconds.

Matthew Boland’s speculative lob dropped wide before Steve Mills opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Sam Parr was judged to have fouled Lawlor.

Winsford, forced into a change at the interval after Chris Middleton suffered a facial injury, improved in the second half.

Liam Collins’ goal-bound effort was blocked by a defender, then James Rothwell had a goal ruled out for a foul.

Blues drew level on 75 minutes, when captain Kyle Riley slammed in a penalty after Richard Peters halted Brandon Moores’ progress into the area.

The Irlam defender was sent off, and Riley duly claimed his 19th goal of the campaign.

Winsford took the lead when Rothwell applied a finishing touch to Duckworth’s free kick with eight minutes left before Moores added gloss when he fired past Irlam custodian Lee White from a narrow angle.

Blues head to Squires Gate next on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Irlam | White (GK), Braithwaite, Peters, Sherwood, Ledson, Mills, Marcus Perry (Davies 65), Mooney, Lawlor, Boland (Illidge 68), Icely (Cassell 75) Subs not used Bickett, Barlow Goal Mills 23 (penalty) Booked Peters Sent off Peters (second caution)

Winsford | Green (GK), Josh Perry, Duckworth, Rothwell, Parr, Middleton (Taylor 46), Moores, Jennings, Riley, Collins (Newman 66), Cotterell Subs not used Egan, Hull, Osborne (GK) Booked Rothwell, Middleton, Moores Goals Riley 75 (penalty), Rothwell 84, Moores 90

Referee Thomas Parsons

Attendance 69

Additional reporting by Bob Astles