WINSFORD United collected maximum points despite playing for almost the entire second-half with midfielder Michael Taylor as a stand-in goalkeeper.

He borrowed the gloves from Ben Chapman after the latter was sent off for tripping Ben Davison after the Maine Road front man ran clear.

By then Blues were protecting a lead established by Lee Duckworth’s goal before the break.

They succeeded, and halt a sequence of three successive defeats in all competitions as a result.

With Jamie McLellan absent, Winsford were boosted by the return of Danny Kerr for his first appearance since February.

However the home team started brightly, and Davison headed off-target after he was left unmarked at a corner.

At the other end, goalkeeper Ryan Livesey diverted a goal-bound effort from Declan Daniels around an upright.

Meanwhile Will Foster deflected Callam Gardner’s free-kick narrowly wide too.

Kerr served a reminder of his value to the team when he timed perfectly a tackle to deny Jack Coop in shooting stride before Chapman saved at close-range after play continued.

Duckworth’s glancing header helped another Gardner set-piece into the net to break the deadlock.

Ryan Steele, playing against his former club, and Damian Skolorzynski had chances too for the visitors.

Their task was made harder by Chapman’s dismissal shortly after the interval.

However Taylor was protected by the men in front of him and barely had a save to make.

Winsford attacked when they could, and Livesey had to be alert to stop efforts from substitute Michael Koral and James Rothwell before the final-whistle.

Maine Road | Livesey (GK), Lyons, Williams (Ryan 82), Mason, Edwards, Ormrod (Whalley 77), Langford, Davison, Coop, Roe, O’Brien (Woods 56) Subs not used Socha, Markham Booked Edwards, Woods

Winsford | Chapman (GK), Skolorzynski, Lee Duckworth, Rothwell, Kerr, Foster, Steele (Hopper 53), Michael Taylor, Bircumshaw, Gardner, Daniels (Koral 46) Sub not used Joe Duckworth Goal Lee Duckworth 31 Booked Bircumshaw Sent off Chapman

Referee Peter Simm

Attendance 65

Additonal reporting by Bob Astles