WINSFORD United were prevented by injuries from playing a specialist striker, but still found a way to beat AFC Darwen.

It also meant Blues put behind them the disappointment of losing heavily away to AFC Liverpool last time out.

They survived a scare when goalkeeper Michael Langley sustained an injury inside 60 seconds, and took the lead shortly afterwards.

Referee Daniel Issawi was decisive after spotting a defender handle inside the area, leaving Callam Gardner to convert emphatically the resulting penalty.

Blues continued to apply pressure, but they were grateful to the match official for his leniency after Danny Kerr – filling in alongside Will Foster in the middle of defence, hauled down Darwen attacker Daniel Banks.

Moments earlier, he had prevented the visitors from levelling with a goal-line intervention.

A further escape followed on 34 minutes, this time when Kiel Lonsdale’s instinctive strike from distance struck the crossbar after Langley had miskicked a clearance straight to him.

However the custodian made a more orthodox contribution shortly before the interval when he prevented Ryan McKenna from equalising.

Danny Hudson replaced Scott Taylor at the point of Blues’ attack for the second half, and they doubled their lead after an hour.

After the visitors’ defence made a hash of a clearance, Hudson teed up James Rothwell to steer in a his first goal of the campaign from a narrow angle.

McKenna was wasteful with only Langley to beat when Darwen attacked next, blazing high over the bar.

Foster’s interception denied another goal-scoring opportunity.

Blues sent on new recruit Justin Pickering, signed on the recommendation of former assistant manager John Flanagan, and he impressed with his dribbling ability.

Hudson had a glimpse of goal, but missed the target.

At the other end, Alex Ralph sliced wide as Darwen’s hopes of a recovery faded.

Winsford | Langley (GK), Middleton, Duckworth, Sherwood, Kerr, Foster, Ryan Steele, Hopper, Taylor (Hudson 46), Gardner (Bircumshaw 80), Rothwell (Pickering 69) Sub not used Moores Goals Gardner 8 (penalty), Rothwell 60 Booked Middleton, Sherwood, Kerr

Darwen | Scott (GK), Edwards, Jerrold, Douglas, Lonsdale, McKay (Fofana 60), Banks, McKenna, Ryan Steele (Cassidy 54), Ralph Subs not used Patterson, Turner Booked Lonsdale, McKenna, Ralph

Referee Daniel Issawi

Attendance 141