KNUTSFORD maintained their pursuit of mid-Cheshire league honours with a victory on Saturday.

It was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggested, but very important as both nearest challengers dropped points.

Stuart Walker, very much the man of the moment, was not fully fit and named as a substitute.

Knutsford had justified appeals for a penalty turned down on 19 minutes when Paul Varity went down under heavy coverage of McKearnon, Bollington's 'keeper.

The referee gave the goalkeeper benefit of the doubt.

Kevin Gibbons drove home the opening goal on 47 minutes after Dow's shot was pushed out.

Then on 66 minutes Karl Senior benefited from good work by Doherty and rattled home his 8th goal in as many matches.

Knutsford then allowed the visitors off the hook and became complacent.

Fifteen minutes from the end, Daine Johnson - in fine form - concluded his first league goal in 25 minutes of play.

Neil Wakefield pulled a goal back from Bollington.

Knutsford were hanging on a little uncomfortably.

Johnson made another fine save before Stuart Walker on as a late substitute, had an easy task in rolling home a reflection to steal the points after Dow's shot was blocked.

On Saturday Knutsford entertain Beeches at Manchester Road.

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