KYLE Riley scored a decisive goal with four minutes left as Winsford United extended a winning sequence to three matches.

Blues’ captain, who made his 100th appearance for the club during a Boxing Day demolition of tenants 1874 Northwich, ended a memorable week with a stunning goal.

Congleton had clawed their way back into the contest after trailing 2-0 at half time, but that recovery ended after a moment of brilliance by the front man.

His swerving strike, right-footed, from distance flew into the top corner to leave Ross Heywood, the Bears’ goalkeeper, with no chance of making a save.

Dale Jennings then supplied a pass from which Jordan Johnson made it 4-2 in added time.

Blues rise to 13th in the North West Counties League’s top-flight as a reward.

It was a game they had to win twice.

Riley had already missed a sitter, heading wide from Jennings’ cross with the goal at his mercy, before Winsford took the lead midway through the first half.

When the latter’s header was blocked on the line by Heywood, defender Will Foster was alert enough to fire in the loose ball.

The teenager ought to have doubled his side’s advantage from another set-piece on 29 minutes, only to scoop over the bar.

Lee Duckworth’s men did celebrate again in the moments before the interval, when Johnson was pushed inside the penalty area.

Riley made no mistake from the resulting spot kick.

A third goal might have followed, but Riley missed the target from close range when well-placed.

Congleton’s recovery was inspired by interval substitute James Pointon.

He placed a penalty out of goalkeeper Andy Jones’ reach to level after ex-Winsford midfielder Rick Bailey had halved the visitors’ arrears with a smart rising finish on 59 minutes.

Another former Blue, youngster Jordan Cobley, was then denied when Jones stretched fully to divert his effort onto an upright with his fingertips.

Substitute Scott Taylor’s blast was diverted to safety in the same way by Heywood before Riley’s match-winning moment.

Winsford | Andy Jones (GK), Henson, Bennett, Rothwell, Foster, Middleton, Jennings, Kerr, Riley, Johnson, Moores (Taylor 70) Subs not used Clarke, Brazel, Egan, Newman Goals Foster 22, Riley 42 (penalty) 86 Johnson 90

Congleton | Heywood (GK), Ben Alston (Pointon 46), Pritchard, Pettitt, Callum Jones, Haynes, Bathgate, Willis, Bailey, Gardner, Cobley Subs not used Beadle, Whiteoak, Waite-Jackson, Andrew Alston Goals Bailey 59, Pointon 76 (penalty) Booked Bathgate

Referee Ben Speedie

Attendance 204

Additional reporting by Bob Astles