IT was not a classic - but it was a clean sheet and three valuable home points for Winsford United.

Winsford have won just twice at home this season and this was a much better display which earned them a rare victory on home turf.

The only thing lacking was a killer touch in front of goal, but a bit more confidence and that may change.

The first half was best forgotten, with few openings created by either team - only efforts by Mischa Showers and Darren Connell worthy of note.

Showers saw a ninth minute volley go just wide of the target and Connell directed a header inches past the post just before the break.

In the second half Winsford forced a series of corners.

One, from Lee Duckworth on 46 minutes was headed just over the bar by Phil Mason.

Nelson were restricted to a series of long shots, none of which troubled Michael Langley.

The breakthrough came on 67 minutes when Showers used his strength to break through the visitors' defence only to be tripped by Paul Morley.

Mason stepped up for the spot kick and, although keeper Billy Carrington got his hands to it, the shot had enough power to find the bottom left corner of the net.

The introduction of Les Miranda livened up affairs but there was hesitancy in front of goal by the strikers. Further efforts by Duckworth and Ross Kennedy narrowly missed the target but the Blues were happy that their home jinx had been broken.