Winsford United 1 Bishop Auckland 2

UniBond Premier Division

By NICK SMITH

A CRUEL deflection four minutes from time sent this match away from Winsford, who once again turned in a below-par performance against their bogey side.

Although this was nowhere near as bad as the 6-0 thrashing up at Bishop Auckland in February, the disappointment of their first home loss of the season was just as crushing.

The only spell when Winsford looked like winning the game was early in the second half, as David Mawson's 25-yard screamer on the stroke of half-time had obviously stung them into urgent action, something which neither side showed during a dull 45 minutes.

Six minutes had gone in the second period when Steve Aspinall collected a short corner from Eddie Hussin on the edge of the box. The midfielder took one ominous touch before hammering a drive into the top corner with the aid of a deflection.

What followed was a stream of chances which could have led to the Blues taking all three points.

Winnie Steele was sent clear by Aspinall on the hour, but rolled the ball wide with only the keeper to beat.

This was quickly followed by two great saves from Simon Bishop, sprawling to his left to keep out Gary Talbot's header and then the other way to palm away a fierce drive by Paul Wheeler.

But the ammunition in Aspinall's right foot was loaded to the full and another blaster, this time from 30 yards out seemed destined for the top corner before the crossbar sent it back into play.

Bishop Auckland continued to threaten on the break, however, and Ross should have done better with a free header which he glanced wide.

Steele and Aspinall linked well at the other end as the tricky winger gave the Blues' top scorer two chances to edge them ahead, but the brilliant Bishop was quick to smother the danger on both occasions.

The visiting keeper then gave the loudest cheeer of all when his side snatched the points four minutes from the end.

Sub David Littlefair did well to get a shot in from the edge of the box, but it was never going in until it hit a boot in a crowded area and flew past Andy Oakes, who was diving the other way.

In a frantic search for another reply, Nathan Peel put the ball in the net in injury time, but Bishop was not to be denied his glory - he was awarded a free-kick for a foul and the goal was ruled out.

Winsford: Oakes, German, Heesom, Hibbert, Talbot, Wheeler, Hussin, Lambert, Shaughnessy, Steele, Aspinall.

Attendance: 153.

Man of the match: Steve Aspinall.

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