ANOTHER solid home performance by Winsford United saw Darwen fall to their first defeat of the season.

This Winsford side is looking too good for many of the other teams in the division and the outlook is good, with only FC United causing the Blues any real problems so far.

The current crop of first team players know there are others waiting on the sidelines to take their place and as a result everyone is giving their best.

Rob Hanley has been a revelation since his return from suspension and it took him just one minute to open the scoring.

Chris Melia is enjoying his spell on the right and it was his cross from the wing that was smartly converted by Hanley at the back post.

Chris Hutchinson and Lee Hughes both had chances to double the score in the first quarter and attacks by the visitors were few and far between.

Barry Crellin returned to Barton Stadium to stand in for the injured Michael Langley, but was rarely tested, even so he had to pull of a fine save from Paul Mashiter.

The second half saw Australian Kevin Mitchell brought in to release Stuart Wellstead from his defensive role and with all guns blazing it was only a matter of time before another goal came.

Mark Quinn ran the midfield and it was the Blues captain who started the move that saw Rick Arnold volley home from the edge of the box.

Quinn's inch-perfect ball down the right released Melia and his cross was met by the ex-Fleetwood striker who shot to the bottom corner gave visiting goalkeeper Andrew Morris no chance.

l WINSFORD travel to Blackpool Mechanics on Saturday, before hosting Holker Old Boys on September 24 (3pm).

WINSFORD: Crellin, Robinson, Stanton, Hutchinson (Mitchell 45), Marsh, Hughes, Melia, Quinn, Arnold, Wellstead (Sweeney 89), Hanley (Warburton 75). Man of the Match: Neil Marsh. Attendance: 86.