WINSFORD United had no time to react after Ashley Woods scored a decisive late goal for West Didsbury & Chorlton.

It was harsh on Blues, who fall out of the North West Counties League Premier Division table’s top 10 for the first time this season.

There was a further blow too when front man Michael Koral succumbed to an injury.

He earned for the visitors a penalty midway through the opening period, tempting former teammate Chris Middleton to foul him inside the area.

Callam Gardner’s resulting spot-kick was emphatically executed.

Koral was inches away from diverting Lee Duckworth’s cross into the net before he sliced wide from Perry Bircumshaw’s centre.

Blues were let off too when Woods missed the target at the other end when it seemed certain he would score.

Winsford goalkeeper Matthew Green was called into action by West skipper Josh Tinker early in the second-half.

Koral limped off shortly afterwards, and the home team assumed control.

Substitute Ben Steer almost conjured a leveller for Joe Shaw, but returning full-back Damian Skolorzynski intercepted in the nick of time.

His effort only delayed a goal arriving though, and Shaw was left alone to convert on 69 minutes after Steer took a free-kick quickly.

Will Foster’s acrobatic attempt flashed wide of an upright as Winsford responded, although they fell behind when Steer cut inside from the right before driving past Green from 20-yards.

It jolted Blues, and they restored parity when Scott Taylor drilled low into an open goal after custodian James Hodges made a mess of a clearance.

Woods then delivered a hammer blow at the end of a move started by Steer when he guided home Tom Bailey’s assist with time running out.

West |Hodges (GK), Tinker, Coo, Middleton (Steer 53), Bayunu (Eiselt 71), Potts, Mason, Sergeant, Bailey, Shaw (Affleck 81), Woods Subs not used O’Donnell, Whyment Goals Shaw 69, Steer 75, Woods 89 Booked Tinker

Winsford | Green (GK), Skolorzynski, Lee Duckworth, Michael Taylor (Rothwell 56), Thomas, Foster, Scott Taylor, Hopper, Koral (Steele 62), Gardner, Bircumshaw Subs not used Fowles, Joe Duckworth, Osborne (GK) Goals Gardner 25 (penalty), Scott Taylor 79 Booked Michael Taylor, Thomas

Referee Jonathan Maskrey

Attendance 420