WITH all the talk of negative football in the Premiership this match was a good advert for grass roots football, with non-stop action throughout the 90 minutes.

It was easy to lose count of the first half goal efforts by the Blues and a combination of missed chances, the woodwork and a fine display by Holker goalkeeper Ross Liddicott meant the sides went in level after 45 minutes.

Rob Hanley, having declined an approach by UniBond side Warrington Town, was a hive of activity right from the first whistle and an 11th minute header that just drifted wide of the post was a sign of things to come.

Rick Arnold looks to have made the number nine shirt his own and his clever footwork gave him a chance to turn and shoot on 16 minutes but Liddicott made the first of a string of saves, tipping the ball over the bar.

Stuart Wellstead should have done better with a point-blank header one minute later and Hanley was even unluckier on 36 minutes when his header crashed against the upright and then three minutes later his volley from Danny Topping's cross skimmed the bar.

The final minute of the first half saw three great chances for Winsford. Lee Hughes' low cross from the right missed everyone, Wellstead shot wide and Hanley's drive just missed the post.

It looked as if it might be one of those games when all the chances go begging, but Arnold put that right one minute after the break.

Once again Hanley was at the centre of the action when he chased a ball most players would have given up.

He caught it in the right corner and laid it back to Mark Quinn whose inch perfect centre gave Arnold a simple header.

Winsford continued to press and they were unlucky with two efforts by Wellstead, the first being saved and the second finishing in the side netting.

The 60th minute saw Craig Clare make a breathtaking save from Paul Southward when his fingertips found a ball that was heading like a bullet for the top right corner.

Unfortunately his effort was wasted because from the resulting corner Southward scrambled the ball home from close range.

Last season this might have spelled the end for the Blues but they are now much more professional and, after a few minutes when the heads went down, they stepped up a gear and scored two late goals to give them the victory they deserved.

On 70 minutes Topping made himself time to look up and pick out Wellstead on the edge of the area and his shot was too accurate for the diving Liddicott.

It was all Winsford now and only three superb saves by the visitors' custodian kept the difference to just one goal.

However Wellstead wrapped it up on 89 minutes when he repeated his first effort and crashed the ball home from the edge of the area.

WINSFORD: Clare, Robinson, Stanton, Chambers, Marsh, Hughes, Topping (Osborne 89), Quinn, Arnold (Sweeney 87), Wellstead (Booth 89), Hanley, Wellstead, Hanley. Attendance: 77. Man of the Match: Rob Hanley.