JUBILANT Flixton snatched a vital three points against fellow strugglers Congleton Town on Saturday with a winner five minutes from time.

The league match was crucial for both sides, with Flixton four points above the Bears before the game on fifth from bottom of the table.

Flixton's 2-1 win opened the gap to seven points, although Congleton took some comfort from the results of clubs below them to remain fourth off the bottom.

''We were pushing for the three points, and the Flixton winner was a bit of a sickener,'' said Congleton secretary Dave Wilcock.

''We were all down at the end, and felt we deserved a point despite not playing as well as we have in the last three or four games.''

Both sides were sizing each other up for the first half an hour, during which Rod Thornley had a half-chance for Congleton.

Graham Dodd almost put Congleton ahead on 20 minutes when he picked up a loose ball 30 yards out to hit a screaming shot which was superbly tipped over by the keeper.

Flixton took the lead in the 35th minute after a poor clearance out of defence by Congleton.

The ball was crossed back in for the Flixton centre forward to head in from close range.

Chris Woodward and Kevin Garforth had efforts blocked, and Flixton went close two minutes before the break when a midfielder saw his lob just clear the bar.

Congleton pressed in the second half, and were rewarded with an equaliser on 65 minutes when Woodward hooked in a shot from 15 yards, the ball bouncing and curling round the keeper into the net.

However Flixton had the final say in the 85th minute when a player slotted home from three yards out after connecting with a ball played in by a winger.

''We were pressuring them towards the end without creating an awful lot, which left us open to the counter attack,'' said Dave Wilcock.

''You could not fault our commitment and effort, but we were outfoxed by Flixton."

Congleton had what they thought was a strong case for a penalty turned down, with the score at 1-1, as Simon Rudge was tackled in the box.

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