WINSFORD United’s hopes of rescuing a draw on Monday were dashed after a disputed decision by referee Alex Gray to award promotion-chasing Bootle a penalty.

The visitors led 1-0 when defender Will Foster appeared to time a tackle perfectly on an opponent, only for the match official to judge he had committed a foul.

Liam Loughlin converted, and Blues could not recover.

Instead they conceded a third goal with four minutes left when substitute Cameron Dalton, on loan to Bootle from Witton Albion, converted from close range at the end of a counter-attack.

Neither side had looked likely to win the game during an even first half.

Ryan Steele fired wide for Winsford, while Chris Middleton ought to have hit the target with a header from Lee Duckworth’s free kick.

Bootle were first to threaten in the second half, and Blues’ goalkeeper Michael Langley – making his first start since returning to Barton Stadium from Runcorn – was at his best to deny Ryan Cox.

At the other end, the visitors’ custodian Ryan Jones was similarly impressive when denying Steele.

Duckworth’s tackle thwarted Steve Jones in shooting stride before Bootle had goals disallowed for offside and then a foul.

They broke through on 69 minutes when Peers headed in from close range.

Blues | Langley (GK), Middleton, Duckworth, Rothwell, Foster, Bayley (Moores 70), Taylor (Collins 80), Howell, Riley, Cotterell, Steele (Johnson 64) Subs not used Hatton, Osborne (GK) Booked Riley

Bootle | Ryan Jones (GK), Hoy, Carberry (Ordish 89), Murphy, Rendell, Woolcott, Halligan, Loughlin, Steve Jones (Dalton 60), Peers, Cox (Hodkinson 60) Subs not used Coulton, Howell Goals Peers 69, Loughlin 74 (penalty), Dalton 86 Booked Murphy

Referee Alex Gray

Attendance 170