Winsford United 2 Alsager Town 0

WINSFORD ended a sequence of six matches without a win by beating Alsager on Monday.

Goals in the second half from Danny Egan and Jack Nicholls secured for Blues a victory that propels them into the Premier Division’s top 10 ahead of a visit from lowly West Didsbury this weekend.

Following a 5-2 defeat at pace-setting Barnoldswick on Saturday, when Kyle Riley bagged a brace, it was exactly the result Rob Byrne’s men needed.

Debutant goalkeeper Will Jones was largely unemployed against the Bullets, save for coming smartly off his line to deny former Nantwich attacker Harry Clayton early on.

Winsford scored twice during a five-minute spell to settle the outcome in their favour.

They took the lead after 69 minutes, when a long ball out of defence ended with Danny Egan making a smart interception on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area.

He then smashed it past Alsager number one Krystian Burzynksi from an acute angle.

A sublime piece of skill from Nicholls doubled their advantage shortly afterwards.

With his back to goal, he flicked the ball over a defender’s head before collecting it as it dropped again and firing into the corner of the net.

In buoyant mood, Blues went in search of more goals.

Egan was denied when Burzynski tipped over, then Ryan Eiselt failed to make contact with a cross inside the six-yard box when he seemed certain to score a third.

The hosts survived a late scare when Alsager’s Jordan Johnson broke clear, but with only Jones to beat he pulled his shot wide of the target.

It means Jones, who switches from higher-ranked Mossley, becomes the first Winsford goalkeeper this term to keep a clean sheet.

Kick off on Saturday is 3pm.

Blues | Will Jones (GK), Eiselt, Duckworth, Jon Jones, Rothwell, Ellison (Michael Jones 84), Seol (Baker 78), Jennings, Riley, Egan, Nicholls Subs not used Lunn, Glimond, Cobley Goals Egan 69 Nicholls 74 Booked Ellison, Riley

Referee Anthony Moore

Attendance 150