WINSFORD United bounced back after their opening day defeat to register their first three points of the season in fine style at Brocstedes Park.

After falling behind to an early goal, they took charge of the game and came out worthy winners.

United had suffered a blow before kick off when captain Shaun Came was held up at work and striker Mike Brandon had to fill in the gap in defence.

It turned out to be a blessing in disguise however and the pairing of Stuart Wellstead and Dave Tasker up front proved a thorn in the side of the home team right from the word go.

This, together with the blistering pace of wide men Josh Hancock and Paul Purdue meant the 30 or so travelling supporters went home both happy and optimistic.

Blues suffered an early setback when, with just three minutes on the clock, Peter Hitchen’s 35-yard effort caught goalkeeper Karl Parker unawares and the ball dipped to hit the underside of the bar and go into the net.

Undaunted, the visitors launched a series of attacks that left the hosts reeling in defence.

Purdue’s ninth minute cross was inches in front of the diving Wellstead and the same player headed Josh Hancock’s corner inches over the bar.

The tall striker was on fire and his 20th minute shot from Tasker’s lay-off curled agonisingly wide of the post.

Parker was called into action one minute later when his outstretched fingers turned Phillip Hardman’s header round the post.

But, on the stroke of half time, Wellstead was back in action, this time a 25-yard volley just missing the target.

Winsford piled on the pressure at the start of the second half and they should have had a penalty when a blatant handball by an Ashton defender was not spotted by the referee.

It mattered little, however, Wellstead tucking away a rebound in the 50th minute after his initial blast proved too hot for goalkeeper Gavin King to handle.

On 61 minutes, Blues took a deserved lead when Wellstead was given room at the edge of the area and he blasted the ball high into the net.

Winsford continued to press, looking to consolidate their lead, but they had to wait until the 89th minute before doing so.

It was Wellstead again who created the chance when his free kick far out on the left was only parried by King and Brandon was on hand to guide the ball home.

Ashton pulled a goal back deep into injury time when Paul Hyde’s corner eluded everybody but it was too late to make any difference.

Winsford Parker (GK), Wakefield, Ledwards, Brandon, Duckworth, Dawson, Purdue, Bryning, Tasker, Wellstead, Hancock