WINSFORD United thanked a former Blue for a favour as they stopped the rot on Saturday.

Craig Ward put through his own goal to put Joe Gibiliru’s men in front, helping the visitors to end a run of six successive league defeats.

Darren Connell’s second half penalty rescued a point.

Better finishing would have brought greater reward for Blues, who used Mischa Showers as a makeshift striker in a bid to bolster their misfiring front line.

They opened the scoring soon after a volley from Michael Owens had tested goalkeeper Peter Crompton.

Alex Bishop broke down the right on 20 minutes, and his cross was turned spectacularly into his own net by Ward.

Winsford went off the boil and five minutes later the scores were level when Paul Jones, given too much room, picked out Daniel Smith for a close-range equaliser.

The hosts then took control.

Gibiliru’s men held out until the stroke of half time, when Ian Callaghan’s clumsy tackle on Smith concded a spot kick coolly converted by the diminutive striker.

The second period belonged to Blues, and both Tony Sayer and Showers went close before on the hour Mark Calland was felled in in the box.

Sub Darren Connell sent Crompton the wrong way to score his 11th goal of the season.

Lee Duckworth, making his first appearance after returning to Winsford this week, almost served up a winner for first Dave Barnes and then Showers, twice, from set pieces.

Star Man John Couch

Blues Mottershead (GK), Sayer, Barnes, Callaghan, Duckworth, Owens, Couch, Calland, Riley (Kennedy 82), Bishop (Connell 58), Showers
Subs not used Ennion, McGann, McDonnell
Att 45