WINSFORD United could not follow a victory on Saturday with another 48 hours later after they succumbed to Congleton Town.

The Bears closed a gap to the North West Counties League’s Premier Division summit to eight points following a 3-0 win, scoring twice in stoppage-time.

Blues made six changes to a side that had started against Whitchurch, including a first appearance this season in attack for in-form Lostock Gralam duo James Dean and Robbie Hatton.

Caldon Henson returned too after a near two-month absence through injury.

And Winsford held their own in the first-half, going closest to an opening goal when Tom Stephens cleared off the line.

However Congleton took the lead five minutes after the interval when Jon Main’s strike from distance crept in.

They did not double their lead until the 92nd minute when former Knutsford midfielder Dean Warburton converted captain Steve Foster’s assist at the end of a counter-attack.

And substitute Bevan Burey added gloss when he made it 3-0 with another shot from outside of the penalty area two minutes later.