WINSFORD are back on track after a second successive away win.

And it needed another rugged display in awful conditions to give Blues three more points towards manager Joe Gibiliru's aim of a top six place.

The final score flattered the hosts.

Only the woodwork and a fine display by former Winsford goalkeeper Craig Clare kept the score down.

The visitors adapted well in the wind and rain and it came as no surprise when they took the lead on 12 minutes.

Dean Ennion, enjoying his best game of the season, carved his way through the hosts' defence before releasing the ball to Lee Madin.

He teed up Ross Kennedy who drilled into the top right corner from the left edge of the penalty area.

Atherton did not threaten Michael Langley's goal until the half hour mark when the Blues keeper had to dash off his line to save at the feet of Chris Quirk.

Playing against the wind in the second period, Winsford stepped up the pressure with Clare fingertipping Madin's drive around the post in the first minute.

A series of corners proved fruitless for Blues until on 53 minutes a fine delivery by Ennion found Mark Calland unmarked and he powered a header into the back of the net.

One minute later Phil Mason should have done better with a shot that found the side netting and after that efforts by John Bluck, John Couch and Chris Sheppard were all blocked on the line.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side when ex-Blue Rob Hope reacted badly to being fouled and was shown the red card.

A series of saves by Clare and an Ennion free kick that struck the post prevented Winsford adding to their lead until 12 minutes from time when top scorer Les Miranda, on his return from injury, steered Lee Thompson's cross inside the post with almost his first touch.

Quirk netted a late consolation to give the travelling fans a nervous flutter but there was to be no comeback.

Star Man: Dean Ennion
Blues: Langley (GK), Calland, Duckworth, Owens, Sheppard, Bluck, Couch, Ennion, Mason (Thompson 77), Madin (Miranda 77), Kennedy (Roberts 67)
Sub not used: Dears
Attendance: 54