WINSFORD United’s run in the FA Vase ended at the first round stage following a defeat at in-form Sporting Khalsa.

Daniel Westwood was left unmarked to meet Lee Chilton’s corner with a header early in the second-half to send the Midlands League side through to the next round.

Their margin of victory might have been wider.

Damian Skolorzynksi’s speculative attempt from distance flew past an upright early on before the home team assumed control.

Chilton’s wind-assisted cross dropped narrowly wide at the other end before Carlo Franco headed high from the former’s corner when he seemed certain to score.

Another Chilton set-piece picked out Westwood but the striker, with the goal at his mercy, inexplicably failed to hit the target.

Blues did threaten shortly before the break, but Sam Marshall’s cross was inches too far in front of Peter Watling.

Winsford almost scored through an unlikely source in the moments after half-time when custodian Michael Langley’s clearance, also helped by a gust, prompted his opposite number Sam Arnold to scramble frantically backwards before tipping over.

Westwood’s breakthrough followed, and Blues then had to absorb sustained pressure.

Sporting’s goal-scorer sent an effort against the crossbar before Ryan Hopper smuggled off the line three minutes later to thwart the home team again.

Rico Taylor and Westwood, again, cursed their luck when they again stuck the woodwork but it did not prove costly.

Sporting | Arnold (GK), Franco, Melbourne, Boothe, Robinson, Armstrong, Taylor (Woodhouse 90), Meek, Westwood, Kinch (Thomas 61), Chilton Subs not used Adams, Haynes, Hendrikson Goal Westwood 52 Booked Robinson, Meek, Kinch, Chilton

Winsford | Langley (GK), Skolorzynski (Thompson 58), Waldron, Hopper (Joe Duckworth 75), Foster, Jones, Marshall, Harris (Howell 53), Watling, Short, Bircumshaw Subs not used Byrnes, Lee Duckworth Booked Marshall, Bircumshaw

Referee Martin Beard

Attendance 127

Match report by Bob Astles