LOSTOCK gained a well-deserved 3-0 victory against second-placed Malpas despite having to play 65 minutes with only 10 men.

In a hectic opening 15 minutes, Lostock were the more creative side and they opened the scoring when a Tony Rogers corner drifted directly into the Malpas goal.

Lostock were beginning to take charge when, in the 25th minute, Birtles was booked for a challenge on Simon Prinning. Soon afterwards, Birtles was sent off for a second bookable offence on the same player.

Lostock came under intense pressure but held out to half-time.

Once they settled into a revised formation, Lostock denied Malpas any goalscoring chances.

Efforts from Harrison and Ball went close before Lostock increased their lead with a breakaway goal. Harrison and Ball linked well just inside the penalty area, with Ball side-footing in from six yards.

This gave Lostock a welcome boost and they continued to keep Malpas frustrated with hard tackling and good movement off the ball.

Lostock's third and best goal of the day was made and finished by Ball. Winning a tackle on half-way, he beat two defenders before calmly slotting the ball past keeper Hunt.

Lostock: Wyatt, Carter, Birtles, Politis, Kimber, Howman, T Rogers (Fallows), Lightfoot, Ball, Harrison (Crawford), Evans (Aleks).

THIS Saturday, Lostock are at home to league leaders Trafford.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.