WINSFORD United’s travelling woes worsened when they slumped to another heavy away defeat on Tuesday.

Blues have lost their past three North West Counties League games away from St Luke’s Barton Stadium, and have shipped 13 goals in doing so.

Luckily, an FA Vase date with in-form Pontefract Collieries this weekend is on home turf.

However Lee Duckworth’s side must improve at both ends of the field if they are to avoid another early exit from a knockout competition.

They can make a case they ought to have taken the lead against opponents managed by former Blues’ boss Ian Street.

Ryan Steele’s shot flashed wide after he had cut inside from the wing, while ex-Winsford goalkeeper Andy Jones was alert to deny both Steele and youngster Robbie Hatton – filling in up front on his first start of the campaign.

Congleton took the lead when Jonah O’Reilly found the net from distance after a corner was cleared in his direction.

And they doubled their advantage four minutes later when Bears attacker Steve Foster converted from close range.

There was a controversial moment shortly before the interval when Jones intercepted a pass intended for Hatton.

Blues felt he had handled outside the penalty area, but referee Jonathan Maskrey indicated he felt the custodian headed the ball.

Winsford were not deterred, and halved their arrears when Chris Middleton diverted a cross from Callam Gardner at the far post.

Danny Kerr’s attempt then cleared the bar early in the second period before Congleton restored a two-goal cushion.

While Blues’ back-line appealed for offside against Foster, they did not react to Emeni Adegbenro running clear before sliding the ball past custodian Michael Langley from a narrow angle.

The visitors sent on Brandon Moores in place of Steele, and he was unlucky not to score after meeting a cross from the right.

However the ball tricked across the face of goal and wide of the far post.

Instead Bears bagged next on 87 minutes, this time when leading-scorer Declan Fletcher was left with the simplest of tap-ins after Langley had failed to connect with a back-pass.

Congleton | Jones (GK), Hill, Peters, Heaton, O’Reilly, Chappell, Adegbenro, Farnworth, Foster (Cavanagh 79), Fletcher, Morris Subs not used Sherlock, Fold, Stevens, Groom Goals O’Reilly 14, Foster 19, Adegbenro 51, Fletcher 87 Booked Foster

Winsford | Langley (GK), Lee Duckworth, Bircumshaw, Sherwood, Middleton, Foster, Steele (Moores 70), Kerr, Hatton, Gardner, Rothwell (Pickering 57) Subs not used Hudson, Hopper, Joe Duckworth Goal Middleton 42 Booked Foster, Kerr

Referee Jonathan Maskrey

Attendance 138